Talleyrand Park in Bellefonte will be alive with music and art this weekend.
On Friday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 13, the park will serve as the setting for the 33rd annual Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair. Local musicians, artists and food vendors will be on hand both days, along with a full schedule of activities.
The schedule includes a silent auction, an ambulance and fire department display, youth artist displays and sales and a wide array of children’s activities. These activities are happening in addition to musical entertainment on two stages, as well as a variety of art and food sales.
The admission, entertainment and children’s activities are all free of charge. Additionally, there is free parking at the high school and a free shuttle service that stops at both sides of the park and on the Diamond downtown. Information stations are located at the Water Street entrance to the park and at the Historic Bellefonte booth.
Debbie Hamilton has been a member of the fair committee since 2001 and has been fair director for 10 years.
“The fair began on the sidewalks of downtown Bellefonte by Dona Goldman and Jeri Galaida, progressed to closing the streets and having the fair there. Moved to Talleyrand Park five years ago, and the serene park setting is perfect for the fair,” Hamilton said.
She said that a hard-working volunteer committee plans the fair, works year-round and then works extremely hard during the two-day event.
The silent auction includes work donated by participating artists, with proceeds going to organizations that are in some way involved with the fair.
Artists come from all over Pennsylvania and beyond, selling their wares, which fall into a variety of categories, including fiber, food, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, painting, photography, pottery, soap, wood and a general selection. Visitors will be able to find anything from handsomely crafted wooden cutting boards and hand-cut metal garden decorations to scented oils and embellished salt and pepper shakers.
The musical performances will offer something for every musical taste. Anyone who enjoys blues or jazz, classic rock or folk rock, chamber music or big band, will find something to suit at either the main stage or the gazebo stage throughout the two-day festival.
The main stage will feature the likes of local musicians, such as Callie Veach Dixon, Diamond Island, Jay Vonada Trio, Eric Ian Farmer, Pure Cane Sugar, Dan Stevens, Ramalama, Your Dad’s Friends, Bellefonte Community Band and Keystone Society of Swing.
On the gazebo stage, fair visitors will hear music from Papa and Picker, JT Blues and John Thompson, Matt and Sky Acoustic Duo, Curtin Street Quartet, Bluegrass Redemption, Jimi Leary, August Winter, Biscuit Jam and the Tommy Roberts Duo.
Several different food vendors will be offering up a wide variety of treats both Friday and Saturday. While taking in the music and art in the park, visitors can enjoy the tasty festival fare, including pork and sausage sandwiches, funnel cakes, kettle corn and snow cones.
One of the highlights of the Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair is Herbie’s Hometown Loop, a 4-mile run/walk and 10-mile run held on Saturday morning, beginning at 8:30 a.m., in conjunction with the fair. The race is in honor of Bellefonte graduate Jeremy Herbstritt, who died in the shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007. This will be the 10th year that the race has been part of the fair festivities, and proceeds from the event will benefit a local family in need. A pre-race pasta dinner will be held at St. John’s Catholic School, where race participants can enjoy a great dinner, live music and learn more about the Jeremy Herbstritt Foundation. Registration information can be found at www.thejeremyherbstrittfoundation.com.
“The fair is an enjoyable family day-long event where they can come, enjoy the free entertainment, browse and shop the artists, talk with their favorite returning artists and enjoy new artists. The children enjoy the arts and crafts tent (and) Dominion Science. Visitors see old friends, have great food and spend the day,” Hamilton said.
IF YOU GO
What: 33rd annual Bellefonte Arts and Crafts Fair
When: Friday, Aug. 12, and Saturday, Aug. 13
Where: Talleyrand Park, Bellefonte
Cost: Admission is free
More info: www.bellefontefair.org
