Festival brings art, music to Lake Ellyn Park
Across the suburbs, artists are putting the finishing touches on paintings and musicians are tuning instruments.
Before the crisp fall weather sets in, exhibitors and art aficionados alike will come together for the 42nd annual Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts.
“It's a full arts festival,” said Rick Schmid, artist liaison for the Festival of the Arts. “It's artists and musicians who have a good time and that's how we envisioned it.”
The free event is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.
With an array of eclectic exhibitors, art and music lovers alike will find something of interest at Lake Ellyn Park, located at Lenox Road and Linden Street in Glen Ellyn.
“We've got people that do stuff that's art, but is really unique art,” Schmid said.
From sculptors and painters to jewelry makers, the juried art show offers unique finds for any budget.
Live music will be performed throughout the festival by groups such as Glenbard West alum Fareed Haque and the MathGames, Swing Fever and the Village Vocal Chords.
Traditionally, the event runs until 5 p.m., but this year the festival continues until 7 p.m. Saturday with a special Twilight Concert featuring the Chi-Town Showstoppers.
Last year the festival offered beer and wine for the first time. This year organizers moved the alcohol vendors next to the main stage so “people can sit and have a beer and listen to music,” Schmid said.
For any youngsters tagging along, the Festival of the Arts also offers a variety of interactive activities for creative kids.
Though the Festival of the Arts is a long-standing village event, the involvement of the Glen Ellyn Lions increased the festival's scope and popularity, Schmid said.
Due to the dwindling membership of the Glen Ellyn Jaycees, the Lions Club took over the event in 2001.
Since the group took over the festival, the number of artists featured throughout the weekend has risen from 59 to 83 this year.
“The Jaycees support us in the event,” Schmid said. “They're still involved, but they don't send any people to help out.”