How to go
What: Warren County Festival of the Arts
When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, June 26
Where Mulberry Street between Broadway and Cherry, Downtown Lebanon
More information: visit www.warrencountyarts.org
LEBANON — From classic landscapes to pristine pottery to street dances, the seventh annual Warren County Festival of the Arts aims to embrace all forms of art.
Organizers of the festival, taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., next Saturday, June 26 in downtown Lebanon, said the festival has grown well beyond its early years on a suburban side street. Last year’s festival drew 5,000 art enthusiasts. With an increased marketing push and extension of the event, organizers anticipate they can smash that attendance mark.
Mary Feie, an organizer for the festival sponsored by the Warren County Arts Council, said the event will feature more than 60 arts vendors, with stands featuring oil and acrylic paintings, photographs, sculpture, textiles, and woodwork. The vendors were selected from a panel of five artisans, with about 1/3 of entrants rejected, Feie said.
“Our goal is to have a fine arts show,” Feie said. “We strive to be selective in who can show here. Last year, artists thanked us for keeping the quality of the show high.”
Beyond visual arts, the festival will feature performances from three different dance troupes, roving street performers, the Centerville Community Band, and the Lebanon Theatre Company, which recently opened a new performance space in downtown Lebanon.
Children will have plenty to do at the festival as well. Besides a children’s art tent where children can work with clay and design puppets among other art adventures, tours will be offered where kids can go behind the scenes and meet local artisans and learn about their works.
“One of our main goals is to raise the next generation of artists in Warren County,” Feie said.
Historic Downtown Lebanon, Inc., will host a block party on Mulberry Street from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday June 25. The bash will feature free live music, dancing, food, and fun to kick start the weekend and serve as a precursor to the arts festival. The 20th annual Lebanon Garden Tour, presented by the Lebanon Council of Garden Clubs will run on Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27. Tickets for the event, available at the Lebanon Train Station in downtown Lebanon, will allow visitors to tour five magnificent gardens in the Lebanon area.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.
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