YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The rain didn't keep people from enjoying the arts and crafts from about 80 local vendors at the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts on Saturday.

The festival continues at the Wean Foundation Park near the Covelli Centre Sunday, July 18, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

From copper jewelry, purses made of reused material, stainless steel art, along with paintings and pottery there was something for everyone.

"The artisans are great and made fantastic things. It's great to bring the girls out, take a look at homemade crafts and do a little shopping," said Jennifer WargackI, from Berlin Center.
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The owners of Abstract Stained Glass, from Youngstown, are happy with sales, and the Wean Park location.

Marlene Falibota said, "We get a lot of requisitions on doing cabinets or doing windows, so it's a good outlet for that."

John Falibota began working with stained glass, along with broken wine and beer bottles to create art.

"The setup is fantastic this year because at YSU there are a lot of hills, people in wheelchairs and walkers couldn't get around. Well now they can and it's nice," added Falibota.

Michelene Thompson from Poland Township was selling handmade leather moccasins and accessories including hair ties for girls, and leather bow ties for daddy and me occasions.

Thompson said, "The moccasins we have meet every category the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests for early walkers. They tell you to secure them with a band so they don't slip off, and have non-slip soles. I designed them to fit around the ankles so they really snuggle around their feet and made them with a breathable material like leather or suede so their feet don't sweat. A child when they first start to walk they need to have direct contact with the surface like the flood. They claw when they start to walk, it's all about sensory development which promotes balance."

MishMoccs baby moccasins have received some national and international attention.

Thompson added, "Hillary Duff and Ashley Tisdale, I don't know how they found us actually, but I'm very grateful they've purchased, picked up a few of our moccasins and they've actually featured us on their social media and Instagram."

Food vendors added flavor to an already interesting art show. People enjoyed hot pepper sandwiches. elephant ears, kettle corn, and lemon shakes.

The extra space at Wean Foundation Park provided opportunities for more live entertainment such as ballet.

Some people say they would like the event to return to YSU's campus, however, some others say either location they will attend.

AJ Silvers said, "I think this is nice because it's out in the open but I also enjoy being up at YSU because you're on campus and that's always fun too."