Celebrate DIY with beer, music and food trucks

The lawn at John Bryan Center in Yellow Springs will be filled with vendors selling handmade goods when the fifth annual Cyclops Fest is presented on Saturday, Sept. 12. CONTRIBUTED

The lawn at John Bryan Center in Yellow Springs will be filled with vendors selling handmade goods when the fifth annual Cyclops Fest is presented on Saturday, Sept. 12. CONTRIBUTED

Love local handmade stuff? Live music? Beer? Food trucks?

Then this is the perfect festival for you.

Cyclops Fest -- a celebration of music, handmade items and DIY (do-it-yourself) culture -- returns to John Bryan Center in Yellow Springs on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Cyclops began just before other DIY groups such as food truck operators, pop-up shop owners and craft beer producers began to expand locally.

“That’s where our store, Urban Handmade, came from,” said Cyclops co-founder DJ Galvin, who opened her shop at 241 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, in 2008. “People take great pride in what they make, and you can make a living doing it.

Here's what to expect Saturday at Cyclops:

In addition to DJ music, food trucks and a beer garden, the fifth annual event features an array of handmade items from vendors such as Rustic Apple Art, Preble Clayworks, Barmaid Soap Company and My Spin on Knit.

While most of the Cyclops vendors are local and regional artists, the festival attracts vendors from Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and other states.

“This year we’ve got a ton of new artists, both locally and out-of-state. That’s really exciting because people will be selling so many different things. Since it’s a purely handmade show, we try to showcase as many unique things as possible,” Galvin said

Cyclops runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., but arrive early because the first 50 purchasing customers receive a free gift. Admission is free.

Want to go?

What: Fifth annual Cyclops Fest

Where: John Bryan Center, 100 Dayton St., Yellow Springs

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12

Cost: Free

More info: Website

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