The Heart of Florida PaintOut 2008
April 11-18th, 2008

KICK-OFF EVENT FOR THE HEART OF FLORIDA SCENIC TRAIL

Celebrate the opening of the Heart of Florida Scenic Trail with 50 of Florida's top professional artists as they paint on the trail for six days, 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. Hundreds of paintings produced and sold on site, wet off the easels, to benefit a regional, sustainable plan. The Paintout Event and the Trail Guide are free and open to the public.

The  HEART of FLORIDA PAINT OUT  2008 brings together 50 top professional plein air artists to work on site in Evinston and McIntosh, Florida April 11-16, dawn till dusk! Hundreds of paintings will be sold on site, wet off the easels. More will be sold at the Gala Collector's Sale at the Thomas Center in nearby Gainesville, Friday, April 18th from 6-10 p.m. This signature event is presented annually by the cultural non profit,  Florida's Eden and is now the most successful paint out in the Southeastern region of the country. This year the paint out is the Kick Off Celebration, opening the long awaited Heart of Florida Scenic Trail. For the very first time, travelers will be treated to an "inside track" guide written by the artists and locals themselves,  as a way to experience this startlingly beautiful, unspoiled natural wonderland. The trail is a self-guided driving tour, leading travelers on a journey of discovery through the scenic rural back roads and through the unique small towns in Alachua and Marion Counties. At either end of the trail, Gainesville and Ocala serve as urban cultural destination hubs. Paint Out visitors will receive the first free copies of the Inaugural Collector's Edition of the Trail Guide and be introduced to its local treasures by artists working in designated sites before hitting the Scenic Trail on their own. A full Cd of local stories and music comes with each guidebook and will inform and entertain visitors as they tour the area. More information available online at www.FloridasEden.org The Heart of Florida Scenic Trail is currently on fast-track to the kick-off at the Heart of Florida Paint Out,
April 11 - 18, 2008. This Trail is the first of a network of trails planned for North Florida, that will guide visitors along our scenic highways and byways in a seamless journey of self-guided discovery.

The Heart of Florida Scenic Trail introduces Gainesville and Ocala as cultural destination urban centers and as hubs for an exploration of the Heart of Florida's rich array of unique small towns, farms, and conserved lands.

VISITORS: please look for the printed and online versions of the guide to be unveiled in April of 2008. The Guide will be distributed free at the Heart of Florida Paint Out, April 11 - 18, 2008. Thereafter the guide may be obtained from the Visitors and Convention Bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, and trail site locations in Marion and Alachua Counties, or downloaded as a PDF file off of this website.

__________________

BUSINESSES and ORGANIZATIONS: the Heart of Florida Scenic Trail offers a new vehicle for reaching your audience. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION IS FEBRUARY 10, 2008.

There are three primary ways to participate:

1. LISTING:
"Places to Eat" and "Places to Stay" may purchase a simple listing in the guide for only $65.00 | Download the form and submit to the address provided

2. SITE LISTINGS:
Businesses located on the route of Phase 1 of the Heart of Florida Scenic Trail may apply to be sites in the guide. | Download the form and submit your application as soon as possible. You will be contacted for a site visit by one of our representatives.

3. ADVERTISING:
Advertising opportunities are open to businesses, organizations, and individuals who wish to reach visitors to our area. | Download the advertising information and submit as soon as possible.

THE HEART OF FLORIDA REACHES YOUR SPECIFIC AUDIENCE. | Read the Trail Guide Prospectus and Site Listing Prospectus to learn more.

___________________

Download Heart of Florida Trail Guide Resources

HEART OF FLORIDA TRAIL GUIDE PROSPECTUS: this document describes the trail guide, including sponsorships, advertising, specialty marketing, and shows sample city, town, and business site listings. DOWNLOAD NOW

ADVERTISING RATES: rates and advertising specs for the Trail Guide. DOWNLOAD NOW

AD FORM: complete this form to submit your advertising and mail to the address below. DOWNLOAD NOW

SITE LISTING PROSPECTUS: complete description on how to be listed as a Heart of Florida site. DOWNLOAD NOW

SITE APPLICATION FORM: Please fill out the form and mail it back to the address below. DOWNLOAD NOW

"Heart of Florida Trail"
Florida's Eden
AAONF
P.O. Box 1149
Gainesville, FL 32602-1149


_____________________
All documents require the free Adobe Reader software. If you have additional difficulties please contact us for assistance.