Arts community reunites with IMMERSE 2021 festival in downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of people will enjoy an evening of art and music in downtown Orlando this weekend.

It’s all part of the IMMERSE 2021 festival.

The event was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But as cases and deaths decline, and vaccination rates rise, more people are feeling confident venturing out to large events.

READ: IMMERSE returns to downtown Orlando this weekend

And it’s good news for local business.

Event organizers said having to skip a year didn’t slow things down, at least not for the long term.

They said more people have turned out so far this year than they did in 2019. Performers said they are also excited to be back.

“It’s been interesting in that transition to being present with people,” said Cole Nesmith, executive director for the Creative City Project.

READ: 9 things to do this weekend: IMMERSE, Synapse Orlando, Biketoberfest & more

Nesmith said they’re taking all the precautions, including hand-sanitizing stations and a mask-distribution tent.

The multi-day festival will not only attract tens of thousands of guests, but also hundreds of artists performers too.

Performers like Jessica Hill said they were ready for IMMERSE to come back this year and they were disappointed over the 2020 cancelation.

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“It’s always a little worrisome not knowing when you’re going to get paid next or when you’re going to get your next gig,” Hill said.

The festival stretches 10 blocks of downtown and organizers said they’re constantly growing.

IMMERSE 2021 will continue Sunday and more information can be found here.

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