Locals braved an iffy forecast and were awarded with a beautiful, sunny day at the 2015 Hamburg Arts and Crafts Fest held in downtown Hamburg on Saturday, May 16. Attendance to the fest was free, as was parking. Participants in the accompanying “Rolling Art” Car and Motorcycle Show paid an entry fee, but had the chance to win door prizes as well as show prizes. About 50 vehicles, ranging from classic cars to street rods to motorcycles, were on display.
Sections of Forth and State Streets were cordoned off to make room for local artists’ stands, ranging from photographs and water colors to fiber art and building portraits. Some displayed hand-turned wooden bowls, others had unique sculptures made from metal or stone. Vendors appealed with unusual offerings like chain-mail jewelry, chess sets made of etched glass and metallic nuts and bolts, and colorful displays of retractable badge holders.
Local merchants joined in the event, holding sidewalk sales and chatting with friends and customers on the street. The Hamburg Strand hosted a film festival, featuring classics like “I Love Lucy” and “The Three Stooges.” The shows ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and were offered free of charge. Inside the Strand, visitors could also browse a local heritage display presented by the Hamburg Area Historical Society.
The fest had other highpoints appealing to adult attendees, including wine tastings and silent art auctions. Organizers did not overlook the kiddie crowd, with lots of activities on hand for youngsters: games, face-painting, clay crafts and more were all available. Many of these were sponsored by local businesses and manned by community-minded groups, including churches, scouts and other youth organizations.
Two popular features returning to this year’s fest were the “Block of Art” option (pay a small fee and paint your own square of art on State Street) and the irresistible Children’s Mural, a large canvas outfitted with brushes and paints. Children were welcome to come and go throughout the fest and add their own artistic touch to the group project, which will be on display at the Gallery of Hamburg, 335 State Street, Hamburg, in the weeks ahead.
Blue Mountain Wildlife sponsored a children’s coloring contest. Residents were also invited to enter a themed “Shoes” art contest, housed at the Gallery. Tilden Elementary students offered multiple drawings in the contest, and the adult category included framed artwork and three-dimensional objects. Winners in this contest were Mary Burke (1st), Brenda Groff (2nd) and Gail Savage (3rd). All entries remain on display in the Gallery’s bay window facing State Street.
As they browsed the displays, fest attendees enjoyed a wide range of musical entertainment. One performer played on a didgeridoo, others sang or played acoustic guitars. Musicians performed at either end of the festival, and listeners were invited to linger while enjoying treats from nearby stands featuring hand-squeezed lemonade, stuffed pretzel sandwiches, hot dogs, French fries and the like.
Local veteran and hero Richard Etchberger was remembered at one stand, which featured copies his official biography, “At All Costs,” written by journalist Matt Proietti. Family members were on hand to sign the books. More information on Etchberger can be found online at chiefetchbergerfoundation.org.
The Hamburg Arts and Crafts Fest is organized each year by the Hamburg Area Arts Alliance. For more information about this group, call 610-562-3106 or visit them online at hamburgpa.org.
