Summer Festival of the Arts returns to YSU for a 24th year
YOUNGSTOWN - Youngstown State University's Summer Festival of the Arts is celebrating its 24th anniversary with a weekend full of arts, culture, and music.
"For 24 years, the Summer Festival of the Arts has showcased the very best of the arts and culture in our community, combining artists, performers and organizations for a rich, diverse and vibrant weekend of events. When we gather together for common cause, we have the perfect opportunity to publicly display all that makes the Valley unique," said Lori A. Factor, festival director.
The weekend's events kick off at the St. Nicholas Greek Summerfest with music, dancing, Greek food, pastries, and cultural memorabilia. Admission is free, and takeout lunch service is available on Thursday and Friday.
Hours for the Greek Summerfest are:
- Thursday, July 7, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday, July 8 and 9, 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Sunday, July 10, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
YSU's Summer Festival of the Arts begins Saturday, July 9th and runs through Sunday, July 10th at Wean Park, located on E. Front Street between the Market Street Bridge and the Covelli Centre. The festival will be open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday.
The festival showcases the work of more than 70 artists that sell original and hand crafted pieces in many different mediums, such as jewelry, paintings, sketches, sculptures, glass, wood and textiles.
Like in previous years, the festival includes family activities and performances by numerous local artists.
The Ward Beecher Planetarium is also offering shows on Saturday, July 9th, beginning at noon, and then at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
There are several other events happening in Youngstown this weekend, including:
- Youngstown Flea on Saturday, July 9, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Main Library on Saturday, July 9, 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
- Youngstown Music Teachers Association Student Recital on Saturday, July 9, 11:00 a.m.
- A patriotic sing-along sponsored by the American Guild of Organists at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church.
The Youngstown Wine and Jazz Concert will be held on Saturday, July 9th, at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. This year's concert features Four80East, the duo of Rob DeBoer and Tony Grace, and jazz vocalist Sharon Rae North.
General admission tickets to the concert are $10 and reserved tickets are $25. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or by clicking here.
