Artisans from around the country prepare for the Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival
CAMBRIDGE − The second weekend in August can only mean one thing: the return of the Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival. For three days, Aug. 11-13, artisans from across the country will descend on Cambridge City Park, showing off their talents and selling their unique pieces.
The annual festival, which continues to grow year after year, will see a large number of returning artists, as well as newcomers. Various mediums will be represented, including ceramics, fiber art, sculptures, paintings, woodworking, and more.
Local artists such as Lisa McGinty with Art MaDDers, and Jack Valentine, who creates whimsical, colorful ceramic pieces with an edge will be at the festival, both as returning artists. New artists for the weekend include Jenna Deitrick, who creates jewelry, and Lisette Takahashi will have her concrete pieces, among others.
More than 70 artists have been confirmed for the show. Artists must submit an application to attend and have their work juried and accepted before being added to the prestigious list of participants.
Event also includes musical performances
Numerous performances are scheduled to take place throughout the weekend.
On Friday, festival attendees can hear the Cambridge High School Marching Band perform for the opening ceremony at noon at the Edgeworth entrance to the park.
The performing arts tent will showcase performers such as 732 The Electric Duo at 4 p.m. Friday, local group Baranich, Gable and Lee at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by Jazz musician George Delancey at 11:15 and Open Highway Bluegrass at 1:15.
Visitors can enjoy the shade at the park's big pavilion for performances throughout the weekend as well. Dance Express will perform at 4:45 p.m. Friday, followed by Cambridge High School Alumni Jazz Band at 6:30 p.m. Saturday's schedule includes the Cedar Valley Cloggers at 12:30 p.m., the Cambridge Singers at 3:30 p.m., the Festival Chorus at 4 p.m., and the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds will close the day at 6 p.m.
Local religious group The Love Quartet takes the stage at the big pavilion at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, while the Cambridge City Band will perform at 2 p.m.
One of the most visited parts of the festival is the Marketplace Tent, which showcases various specialty food and floral vendors. Among those scheduled to appear this year are the Crackpot Coffee Co., Three Blooms Flower Farm, Copley Bee Co. and local treat maker Shirley's Sweet Perfections.
Children will enjoy the festival activities suited for little ones, such as watching the Madcap Puppet show, held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Performing Arts Tent, or making a craft at 11 a.m. Saturday in Pavilion #1. The student art tent highlights work created by students from area schools. Entries will be accepted until Sunday and can be done by contacting Stephanie Bridwell at 740-624-2787 or by visiting www.saltforkfestival.org/student-art.
Food vendors will be on-hand feeding hungry festivalgoers throughout the weekend, including Burger Brothers, Rock Dawgs, and JC Concessions. The Cambridge High School Marching Band boosters will have a food stand, and there will also be homemade ice cream fresh roasted corn offered during the weekend.
For more information about the festival, to register for the student art tent, or to become a vendor visit www.saltforkfestival.org.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival prepares for its return to Cambridge
