Interactive art returns to Orlando this weekend with IMMERSE

ORLANDO, Fla. – An interactive art festival celebrates 10 years in Orlando starting this weekend.

Tuesday on Breakfast With Bridgett, we previewed the 10th annual IMMERSE, which begins this Friday in Downtown Orlando.

Creative City Project Founder Cole Nesmith says their signature three-day performing and interactive art festival is known for its unique variety.

“When you come downtown, no matter what you experience, you’re going to have an incredible time,” NeSmith said.

“Some of the big things you’ll encounter this year, Cirque du Soleil artists hanging from cranes, Blue Man Group performing on a stage right there in Downtown Orlando. After they’re done on stage, they’ll hop off stage and roam around downtown. You might have an unexpected encounter with them. We have Broadway’s Michael James Scott performing,” NeSmith added.

Proudly presented by AdventHealth, IMMERSE is free, but there are some ticketed experiences. NeSmith says it’s come a long way in 10 years and they are proud of the expansion.

“It started in 2012 with a very small group of artists who came out and played their guitars on the street corner and dancers in vacant lots. It was kind of a pop-up event that very first year, and over the years has definitely grown in scale — has grown in scale of the performances you’ll experience when you come downtown, in scale of audience size and it’s an incredible 10-year anniversary,” NeSmith said.

No matter when you come to IMMERSE, NeSmith says no two visits are alike and it’s fun to “IMMERSE” yourself in whatever you see when you get there.

“So many of our guests just show up downtown and have a delightful experience coming upon whatever they encounter in the streets,” he said.

Watch the full interview above in the video player.

Find schedules, maps and a list of performers on the IMMERSE website.

And check out ClickOrlando’s guide to the festival for street closures, parking information and more HERE.