Take in art festival, Taste of Highland Park
The Port Clinton Art Festival will return to downtown Highland Park for its 34th year Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26 and 27. Produced by Amdur Productions, the free event attracts thousands of guests from across the Midwest and features hundreds of the country's most celebrated artists.
Kicking off the festival weekend will be the 11th annual Taste of Highland Park, opening at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, which will run in conjunction with the art festival all weekend long. The Taste will feature food and drinks from many of Highland Park's restaurants, including Backyard Grill, Beelow's, Casa de Isaac, Green Panda, Judy's Pizza, Michael's, Onion Garden, Phoenicia, Real Urban BBQ, Ruby of Siam, and Tamales. Highland Pop and Sunset Foods will also be part of the Taste.
In addition to the tasty fare, festivalgoers will enjoy a variety of live musical performances from acclaimed bands and performers throughout the weekend, including popular Beatles tribute band BritBeat at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Other groups scheduled to perform that weekend include The Saturday June Band, Spoken Four, Check with Lucy, and Class of '68. A performance by the Highland Park Players will take place Sunday afternoon.
"It's hard to believe that it's been 34 years," said Amy Amdur, president of Amdur Productions, producer of the festival.
"What started in 1983 as a small gathering of artists showcasing their work in downtown Highland Park has evolved into the largest suburban art festival in all of Illinois," she said.
"The artists love this show, not only because Highland Park is a beautiful place to exhibit, but because of the support they've received year after year from this art-loving community."
With hundreds of juried artists representing 31 states, visitors to the Port Clinton Art Festival will find art in every medium, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, photography, glass, mixed media, wearable art and more.
Attendees have an opportunity to get up close and personal with the artists thanks to booth chats and live art demonstrations.
"More than half of the artists exhibiting at this year's show are new to the Port Clinton Art Festival, so there'll be quite a few pieces making their debut at this fest," Amdur said.
"Another interesting fact is that we've got close to 50 artists who are couples, sharing their love and their love of art."
Another feature of the Port Clinton Art Festival is the Youth Art Division. Nearly 20 young artists ages 18 and younger will be showcasing their work throughout the weekend, including jewelry, painting, drawing, ceramics and sculpture.
"We're happy to give these young artists a chance to shine and an opportunity to exhibit at an art festival," she said. "Not only do they gain real-world experience, but attendees enjoy seeing the work of up-and-coming artists. Their talent is truly astounding."
Young attendees are invited to visit an area just for them where they can participate in "Draw for the Troops," a new program launched this year by Amdur Productions. Children of all ages are welcome to color a special picture for the brave men and women in the armed forces.
At the end of the show, the drawings will be sent by Amdur to the troops stationed in the U.S. and abroad. Other activities for children include an art scavenger hunt, spin art and a giant graffiti wall.
Autism Speaks is the charity chosen for the Port Clinton Art Festival's Green Ribbon Project this year. Participating artists will place a green ribbon on a piece of art in their booth. If the piece is sold during the fest, the artist will donate 10 percent of the proceeds to Autism Speaks.
"The Port Clinton Art Festival is one of the country's most popular outdoor art shows," Amdur said. "Highland Park has such a cool suburban vibe and offers a beautiful backdrop for the artists' work."
This year's show has a new layout making it easier for guests to visit every booth. Those with strollers, wheelchairs, etc., will find navigating the show quite simple, as all of the booths are moved toward the curb, allowing for greater space in each aisle.
The Port Clinton Art Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26 and 27. The Taste of Highland Park's hours are: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27.
Festival admission and parking are free. The show is accessible from Metra's Union Pacific/North Line with a stop in downtown Highland Park.
For information about the Port Clinton Art Festival or about Amdur Productions, call (847) 926-4300 or email info@amdurproductions.com, or visit amdurproductions.com, as well as Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.