SPRINGFIELD — The Mattoon Arts Festival returns for its 51st edition on Sept. 7 and 8 on Mattoon Street in downtown Springfield.
“We are thrilled to host yet another Mattoon Arts Festival,” said Bob McCarroll, festival director. “This event is a celebration of creativity and diversity, and we invite everyone to join us for a weekend filled with art, music, and fun.”
Admission is free to the event which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
The arts and crafts on sale will be by more than 100 artists from the greater Springfield area. Wood and metal creations, photography, glass, fibers jewelry, printmaking, paintings and ceramics will be featured.
Many of the artists return year after year. McCarroll noted the artist with the longest attendance is Kevin Wallace with his Mattoon Street Blooms. He has been at the festival for 26 years. Wallace uses dried flowers to create framed arrangements and also portrays the Tin Man from “The Wizard of Oz” walking through the festival.
McCarroll noted that many exhibitors have told him the festival is their favorite because of the interesting location and the fact Mattoon Street residents help them with set-up and break-down.
Food offerings will include two new vendors this year, Crepes Nanou and Mim’s Queer Shack as well as returning vendors Moe’s Dogs, Wicked Whisk, Thai Chili Food Truck, P’Frogi by Irida, Island Cow Ice Cream and Monsoon Roastery, LLC.
There will be acoustic, non-amplified entertainment by Joel Meginsky, Over Easy Dixie Jazz Band, Paul Grzebieniowski, William Hart and Dominic Cucinotti, among others.
Free on street parking will be available as well as parking in the TD Bank Lot on the corner of Harrison and Dwight streets.
The festival attracts thousands of people to Springfield every year. McCarroll noted that in 2019, the festival received a grant that required tracking attendance and that show attracted about 7,000 people. Usually, he said, there are about 4,000 to 5,000 visitors. He added that number depends upon the weather for the outdoor events.
For additional information go to mattoonfestival.org.
