The Doylestown Arts Festival celebrated 31 years of showcasing local and regional art and creativity Sept. 10 and 11.
The annual event drew upwards of an estimated 20,000-person crowd on Saturday, and several thousand made their way out on Sunday in spite of the rain.
The event brought visitors from near and far, injecting a major economic boost to the local community, and supporting over 150 independent artists and dozens of musicians and local businesses. With just over 200 vendors in total, the event covered much of downtown Doylestown, lining State Street, Main Street, Oakland Avenue, Hamilton Street, and the Hamilton Street Parking Lot with art and activities.
By bringing the arts to the street, the showcase of regional creativity was accessible to all who sought to enjoy it.
“This festival remains my biggest and best of the entire year – not only because it's busy and sales are good, but because the vibe and atmosphere is so positive and so many of my customers have become friends that I look forward to seeing there. I look forward to next year,” said artist Dar James.
The all-volunteer organizers and committee responsible for the festival worked for over 10 months to carefully plan and execute the annual tradition, which is made free to the public in partnership with Discover Doylestown, the Borough of Doylestown, and dozens of local businesses, organizations and residents.
Behind the scenes of the festival, over 100 volunteers worked from before dawn until well after the crowds had gone home to make sure the event ran smoothly.
“It was a delightful Saturday and a tough but quite memorable Sunday. Without exception the volunteer team and management team were pleasant, excited, helpful and a pleasure to work with,” said JoAnne Sutkin, one of this year’s artists.
For 31 years, the Doylestown Arts Festival has upheld its mission of spotlighting Doylestown and Bucks County for its commitment to art and culture, supporting local artists and businesses, and raising the accessibility of the arts for everyone in the community to experience. This year’s festival – especially Saturday – is believed to be one of its largest and most successful events yet according to volunteers and vendors.
“Beyond the work our volunteer team puts in, it is really the incredible pool of talent and this very unique community that helps us to create such an immersive and successful event. We are incredibly grateful not only to our vendors and partners, but to each and every person who came out to enjoy and support the festival,” said Paul Boger, who co-directs the event with his wife, Kris Boger, in a volunteer capacity each year.
The Doylestown Arts Festival is made possible by a small volunteer committee of Discover Doylestown, presented by the Thompson Organization, and supported by dozens of sponsors. Plans for the 32nd annual festival are already underway.
For information about this year’s festival, sponsors, and artists and musicians, visit dtownartsfestival.com.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
