STATE COLLEGE — The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is returning for its 59th annual event to downtown State College and Penn State from Wednesday, July 9, through Sunday, July 13.
The festival was founded by the State College Chamber of Commerce and Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture and every summer has attracted up to 150,000 visitors and features to fan favorite Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition, a juried gallery exhibition, the popular Children and Youth Day, street painting, educational opportunities, music, dance and theatrical performances.
The festival kicks off on Wednesday, July 9, with Children and Youth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“This day will showcase young artists, provide educational opportunities and celebrate diverse cultures. On this special day, young artists sell their wares at the Children and Youth Sidewalk Sale, with more than 300 young artists ages eight to 18 participating,” the Central PA Festival of the Arts said in a news release.
The day will end with the Children and Youth Day Grand Procession of giant paper mâché puppets from the lawn of Old Main to Sidney Friedman Park. The procession steps off at 3 p.m.
The Annual Juried Sidewalk Sale and Exhibition will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 10 through Saturday, July 12 and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 13. More than 300 independent artists and entrepreneurs from across the country will be featured during the exhibition.
“Whether you’re looking for a work of art, piece of jewelry, housewares or all of the above, our artists have something for you,” the festival continued in its news release. “You’ll find some of the country’s most talented artists in a wide variety of media, from ceramics to wood. A panel of four jurors will award $20,000 in prize money to winning exhibitors during a ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, at the Allen Street Stage.”
Another highlight of the Central PA Festival of the Arts is the free live performances. This summer, there will be a mix of old favorites and new performers at the Festival Shell on the Old Main Lawn, the Allen Street Stage, the Sidney Friedman Park Stage and two stages at the intersection of Pollock and Burrowes and at Willard Plaza on Penn State’s campus.
Also new this year is the Penn State Health Kids Zone, a space just for kids, from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, in the MLK Plaza downtown State College. The central PA Tasting Trail will move to Sidney Friedman Park this year with the introduction of the Kids Zone.
Additionally, this year the festival partnered with The State Theatre to provide a space for festival goers to cool down. The theater will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, with performances scheduled during those times.
“This Festival has grown because of the collaborative spirit of the Centre County communities, numerous sponsors, Penn State University, the Borough of State College, a dedicated volunteer board, more than 600 devoted volunteers and a dynamic and passionate staff,” the festival remarked. “We look forward to seeing YOU at this year’s Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.”
