New musical lineup to kick off Waterbury Arts Fest Aug. 25

August 8, 2023  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

Waterbury Arts Fest Friday night party 2022 on the lawn at Pilgrim Park. Photo by Gordon Miller

The rescheduled Waterbury Arts Fest is coming up soon  –  Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25-26  –  with a Friday night dance party and the popular Saturday arts and crafts market and entertainment.  

Along with the event dates, the musical lineup has been switched up from the original plans. On stage Friday will be Renegade Groove, a four-piece funk-rock band from Burlington, following the Arty Lavigne Band who will start the party under the stars. 

The new artists were added after Arts Fest was rescheduled from July 14-15, dates that fell immediately following the July 10 flooding. As a result of the change, the original headlining band The Grift was unavailable for the new date, explained Karen Nevin, Executive Director of Revitalizing Waterbury. 

“Once we knew that The Grift couldn’t join us in August, we worked hard to bring two bands with fun vibes to make Friday night a party to remember,” Nevin said, adding that The Grift will return as the Block Party headliner in 2024.

Waterbury Arts Fest is Revitalizing Waterbury’s largest annual fundraiser. All events will take place along Railroad Street at the entrance to Pilgrim Park behind the Waterbury Train Station. 

Along with music, the Friday Block Party will include a number of food vendors for dinnertime and a beer garden. Saturday’s schedule will include food from breakfast through lunchtime and children’s activities. In addition to the more than 100 arts vendors, the stage also will be busy on Saturday with more live entertainment. 

“We are excited to introduce Diya Kulkarni to the Arts Fest family,” Nevin said. “A young singer-songwriter from Montpelier, she’ll sweep you off your feet. DonnCherie is returning to share her wonderful soul-folk vibe and Slap Happy Jack will top off the afternoon.”

Local youth dancers from Green Mountain Performing Arts will start off Saturday with a performance of a variety of dance styles for the morning crowd. 

Dozens of local businesses sponsor Waterbury Arts Fest. VSECU is the grand sponsor; Suburban Propane is the Friday Night Block Party sponsor; Fairfield by Marriott is the Saturday Arts Market sponsor; Ben & Jerry’s is stage and entertainment sponsor.

More information online at WaterburyArtsFest.com.