East Lansing Arts Festival expected to have 150 artists, thousands of visitors

Krystal Nurse, Lansing State Journal
·2 min read
People enyoy a snack at East Lansing Arts Festival in 2021 infront of a new mural painted by a collaboration or Michigan State students, former students and faculty.
People enyoy a snack at East Lansing Arts Festival in 2021 infront of a new mural painted by a collaboration or Michigan State students, former students and faculty.

EAST LANSING — Thousands of people are expected to flood East Lansing's downtown Saturday and Sunday for the annual East Lansing Art Festival.

The free arts festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in the city's downtown area on Albert Avenue, said Heather Majano, art festival coordinator. It will feature over 150 artists this year.

"It's the perfect weekend to break out of the winter blues and it's nice to be with my family. You get to see art you don't normally see," she said. "It's good for people who don't think they'd go to an art gallery and it's a great opportunity to get out of the house for a big event and kick off summer."

Where can I park?

Parking is available in all of East Lansing's lots that day with a live view of available spots on the city's website. Bailey Street is open only for handicap-accessible parking.

Parking is available for free in Michigan State University's commuter lot at Farm Lane and Mount Hope Road with $0.50 shuttle service from CATA to the festival.

Any entertainment, educational opportunities?

Several performances such as ballets, music and theater are expected at the Jackson Main stage both days, Majano said. An American Sign Language interpreter will be at the stage, funded by a Mid-Michigan Arts and Culture grant.

A food court will be stationed at the Bailey Street parking lot.

"I love updating the website when we have the artists confirmed because I look at their websites and make my shopping list from there, and then I go and meet them in person to browse and purchase art from them," Majano said.

Indigenous artist Jenna Wood will lead an instructional black ash basket weaving on both days at Fountain Square, next to the Marriott Hotel. Majano added the location will be used for other demonstrations from various organizations and the East Lansing Public Library.

With Albert Avenue opened up with games like hop-scotch and this long jump, a man takes a spill as his shoes fail him at the East Lansing Art Festival Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021.
With Albert Avenue opened up with games like hop-scotch and this long jump, a man takes a spill as his shoes fail him at the East Lansing Art Festival Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021.

What does the weather look like?

The National Weather Service predicts East Lansing on Saturday to have a 20% chance of showers with a high of 64 degrees, clearing out by the evening.

Sunday, conditions are better with sunny skies and a high of 75 degrees.

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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: East Lansing Arts Festival expected to bring thousands downtown