Every September, a group of outstanding artists have gathered in Shamrock Park on Hickory Avenue for the annual Bel Air Festival for the Arts. The event is sponsored by the Bel Air Recreation Committee and includes over 350 artisans and craftspeople.
The Festival will include a broad range of items and artists. Each artist is required to submit an application and a committee selects who will exhibit their work at the festival. This process ensures the highest quality art from a wide variety of vendors giving the Bel Air Festival its distinctive feel. So whether visitors are looking for a piece of beautiful photography, a hand thrown pottery bowl, or a hand poured soy candle, they’ll find it at the Festival.
The Festival is one of the largest one day events in Harford County each year drawing about 20,000 people to Downtown Bel Air during the rain or shine event. The Festival features continuous live entertainment both in the bandshell and strolling through the crowds for everyone’s enjoyment. Attendees will enjoy the live entertainment while they take in one of a kind fine art, photography, and hand-made crafts. All items featured by the exhibitors are handmade and patrons have the opportunity to meet the artists who produced the items. There’s something really special about purchasing an item or giving a gift made by a local artist whose story can be told through their work. Bel Air resident Lois Entner tries to attend each year and finds the Festival for the Arts to be a “fun experience for everyone.” She says, “I always find something special to start my Christmas shopping. There is something for everyone there and it seems like the whole town is out.”
The Festival for the Arts is a great way to start a wonderful series of events in the A&E District in the fall. It’s an event that brings the community together to share a love of quality craftsmanship. This year, the Festival will be held on Sunday, September 17 from 9:00am – 5:00pm. Admission to the event is free and there’s plenty of parking available downtown and also through a free shuttle service from the MVA parking lot of Route 24. Visit the website at www.belairfestival.com for more information. Did I mention the great festival food that will be available all day?
