YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - After four years of hosting the Summer Festival of the Arts at Wean Park in Downtown Youngstown, Youngstown State University's Summer Festival of the Arts will be making its return to campus next year.

YSU's Coordinator of Community Engagement and Events Katie Merrill tells 21 News the Youngstown community has been wanting the festival to return to campus. Now, University President Bill Johnson has asked for the event to return to its original home.

President Johnson is quoted in a press release stating the festival returning to campus not only honors its rich history, but enhances the experience for artists and guests alike.

Merrill tells 21 News the festival was just as successful downtown as it was on campus, but one thing YSU's campus is able to provide that Wean Park couldn't is a shaded area for artists.

Merrill says since Wean Park is so new, the trees there have not fully developed causing a lack of a shaded area for artists and guests.

The festival has been going on since 1999 and has featured a wide range of arts including visual arts, live music and cultural activities.

Next year's festival will take place July 12 and 13. As always, the event is free and open to the public.