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SPREE INSIDER
If it’s August, it must be time for Elmwood Fest
By Naomi Spencer
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Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts
photo courtesy of the festival.
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August is festival-crazy—see our special festivals calendar for evidence. And arts fests fill the list, with Lewiston, Ellicottville, and other WNY arts hotspots hosting events.
One of the most environmentally conscious and creatively satisfying festivals of the summer is certainly the two-day Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts. Filled with aspiring and established regional artists, it has been a local tradition for the past nine years. Buffalo Spree is proud to sponsor this, the tenth annual festival, taking place August 29 and 30, the weekend before Labor Day.
This nonprofit, volunteer-run festival annually draws thousands of people into one of the most celebrated neighborhoods in Buffalo. It fosters the growth of grassroots enterprises, offering artists a place where they can display their art and mingle with other creative folk. And with over 170 artists and craftspeople selling artwork created in a wide range of media, even the choosiest of shoppers will find something appealing. In addition to the vendors, live entertainment fills the weekend. More than fifty musical performances on three different stages by a variety of performing artists are on tap, their styles as diverse and electrifying as their neighboring visual artists peddling in the streets.
The Festival has always been a family-friendly one, with activities to interest all ages. The Kids Fest caters specifically to the youngsters, including hands-on art projects and crafts, inspiring them to develop their own creativity by creating art themselves. The festival café features an array of food by area vendors.
Each year there are designated theme streets in the Festival. This year, “Cultural Row,” located on Breckenridge Street, will showcase thirty-five community organizations, including local theaters, art galleries, small choruses, and children’s groups. “Environmental Row” on Auburn Avenue features info about clean wind and solar energy alternatives, as well as how to decrease energy consumption. This focus on the environment is nothing new—the EAFA was the first event of its kind to recycle, compost, establish an environmental row, and use biodegradable tableware. This means you can feel good about taking your time, supporting the artists, and having fun.
Stopping by the Elmwood Festival of the Arts is a truly atmospheric and fun way to see what regional artists are up to, and in the process, you’re offering support to a delightful local neighborhood. The event runs Saturday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, August 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details on the Festival, including the concert line-up, visit www.elmwoodartfest.org or call 830-2484.
Naomi Spencer recently completed an editorial internship at Spree.
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