Chestnut Hill's 38th annual Fall for the Arts Festival returns on Sunday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closing Germantown Avenue from Rex Avenue to Willow Grove Avenue and transforming the strip into an outdoor arts and crafts marketplace.
The family- and pet-friendly event features more than 200 talented artists and crafters, live demonstrations, children's activities, live music, food, and boutique shopping. With artists and vendors from across the Mid-Atlantic and as far as New Mexico presenting their paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, woodcrafts, jewelry, and accessories, the festival offers a perfect opportunity to throw on a sweater, grab a Pumpkin Latte, and spend the day exploring what’s on offer.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the arts with our annual Fall for the Arts Festival,” said Courtney O’Neill, Executive Director of the Chestnut Hill Business District, which produces the event. “This first weekend in October is a perfect time to visit our charming urban village and our cobblestoned “Main Street,” which will be transformed into an outdoor art and artisan marketplace. We are grateful to our sponsors and the business community for their help in creating this special tradition.”
This year’s event will feature one stage for live music instead of two, which will be located at the top of the Avenue at Bethlehem Pike. Performances include the Dukes of Destiny, which will be playing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Variable Elements, which takes the stage from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Other entertainment will be on offer at Stagecrafters Theatre, at 8130 Germantown Avenue. There you’ll find a photobooth, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., a stiltwalker from noon to 2:00 p.m., Scene-N-Action Productions Co. (SNAPCo.) from noon to 12:30 p.m., the Amazing Carson tarot card reader from 1 to 3 p.m. and three children’s theater performances of Rapunzel, at 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
New to the festival this year will be Carriage Horse Freedom, the electric carriage that first showed up in Chestnut Hill for Petapalooza – and can offer the thrill of a carriage ride without the use of actual horses. Also new this year are fine artist and illustrator Clarissa Kear, whimsical home decor designer TYST and jewelry designer Studio Bladel.
Some popular attractions will be back, including New Market Design + Build will be returning with their upside-down photo booth, and the Lincoln Drive Band, which will be performing at the Chestnut Hill Community Center building, on the steps of Windfall Gallery and Villavillekula.
The Makers Village, located on the block between Abington and Willow Grove Avenues, is back to feature glass blowers, weavers, and potters giving live demonstrations of their craft, and children under 10 can once again enjoy face painting, crafts, games, and delicious snacks at Jenks Elementary School.
And, of course, neighborhood stalwart Hilltop Books will be hosting used book stands at various locations along the Avenue. The festival, which began in 1985 to promote local artisans, will also feature information booths from area arts and civic organizations.
For more information go to chestnuthillpa.net
