Sept. 10-11: Waterbury Arts Fest returns for 19th annual block party, arts market
September 4, 2021 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Waterbury Arts Fest returns Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11. File photo by Heather Glenn
After a 2020 hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Waterbury Arts Fest returns next weekend, starting with a Friday night Block Party.
The 19th annual arts festival runs Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10-11, and is the main annual fundraiser for the economic development nonprofit, Revitalizing Waterbury. Usually held in July, the festival is a little later this year as organizers aimed for a date they hoped would be safe for gathering. Their gamble paid off as public health restrictions were lifted in June given the state’s high percentage of individuals vaccinated against COVID-19.
Lower Stowe Street and Bidwell Lane will be closed for the festivities that kick off Friday at 5 p.m. and go until 9:30 p.m. The Block Party and street dance will feature music by Brett Hughes with Jane Evans opening. In addition to the entertainment on stage, there will be a beer garden run by The Reservoir and food trucks.
On Friday, attendees who donate at the gate will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two prize boxes filled with over a dozen local items valued at over $100 each. “The prizes include local swag, gift certificates and specially crafted items from local artists participating in the Arts Fest,” said Karen Nevin, executive director of Revitalizing Waterbury.
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stowe Street and Bidwell Lane will be set up for an arts and crafts market featuring nearly 100 artist and vendor booths. A kids tent will have children’s art activities for all ages including decorating crowns and contributing to a paper quilt.
The MakerSphere booth will continue its latest public-participation art project, “Facing the Pandemic.” The hands-on project invites community members to use a COVID-19 face mask as a canvas to draw or write about their experiences during the pandemic. Completed masks will be displayed at Arts Fest.
A silent auction on Saturday will benefit Revitalizing Waterbury with items up for bid donated by exhibiting artists including jewelry, blown glass, pottery, paintings and more.
Facing the Pandemic is a local public-participation art project by MakerSphere to collect impressions, reactions, and thoughts about the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos courtesy MakerSphere
Saturday will feature a full day of entertainment on stage. The lineup will include Green Mountain Performing Arts dancers, locals Fiona & Emmitt, Cooie Sings, and Soulstice.
Food Court vendors for the day include Mediterranean Mix, Yum, Skinny Pancake and Lauren’s Cheesecake. Brave Coffee will be set up by Stowe Street Cafe.
Waterbury Arts Fest has dozens of local sponsors led by grand sponsor Vermont State Employees Credit Union; Friday Night Block Party sponsor, The Reservoir Restaurant; entertainment sponsor Ben & Jerry’s; and media sponsor NBC5.
More details are online at WaterburyArtsFest.com and at makerspherevt.com/community-projects.
