Tempe Festival of the Arts is back. Here's what to expect, plus what roads will be closed
Hundreds of artists from across the U.S. will compete for recognition in 18 mediums during the Tempe Festival of the Arts this weekend.
From Friday through Sunday, 350 artists will display their creations for a jury that includes members of the local art community and sell their work to festival-goers. There will also be food trucks, beer gardens featuring Pedal Haus Brewery and Four Peaks Brewing Company and entertainment such as live music, henna art and a photo booth.
The downtown event, a tradition for more than 50 years, will span Mill Avenue between Third Street and University Drive as well as Fifth Street between Myrtle and Ash avenues.
For the full list of artists, whose mediums span from digital art to metalwork, go to https://tempefestivalofthearts.com/the-art/artists. Other categories include:
Ceramics.
Upcycled/creative reuse.
Mixed media.
Painting.
Fiber.
Glass.
Leather.
Jewelry
Wood.
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How to get to Tempe Festival of the Arts
Go to https://www.downtowntempe.com/get-around/parking to find nearby parking options.
If you plan to take public transportation, the Valley Metro light rail stops at Third Street and Mill Avenue. For more information on how to navigate to the festival, including accessibility information and Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, go to https://tempefestivalofthearts.com/info/get-here.
The event's website offers a festival map to help you make your way to the food court, beer garden, chalk-a-lot street and more.
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Tempe Festival of the Arts street closures
The festival will close streets in downtown Tempe starting at the following times on Dec. 2.
From 7 a.m., these streets are closed:
Seventh Street between Mill Avenue and Sixth Street.
Seventh Street east of Mill Avenue to Myrtle Avenue.
Maple Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets.
From 2 p.m., these streets are closed:
Fourth Street west of Mill Avenue to Maple Avenue.
Maple Avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets.
Sixth Street west of Mill Avenue to the roundabout.
Sixth Street between Mill Avenue and Myrtle Avenue.
From 5 p.m., these streets are closed:
Fifth Street from Mill Avenue to Ash Avenue.
Fifth Street from Mill Avenue to Myrtle Avenue.
From 6 p.m., these streets are closed:
Mill Avenue from University Drive to Rio Salado Parkway (only during load-in on Thursday and load-out Sunday).
Third Street from Mill to Ash avenues (only during load-in on Thursday and load-out Sunday).
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COVID-19 precautions
"The event has been carefully evaluated and modified, where possible, to incorporate safety measures that help reduce the transmission of COVID-19," according to a press release.
The festival's website specifies that vendors are encouraged to use touchless payment methods and sanitize their spaces regularly. It also recommends "that all artists, staff and guests be vaccinated or stay socially distant/masked if unvaccinated. In high traffic areas, we recommend that all patrons socially distance."
Tempe Festival of the Arts 2021
When: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Dec. 3-5.
Where: Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe.
Admission: Free.
Details: 480-355-6060, https://tempefestivalofthearts.com.
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tempe Festival of the Arts 2021: What to know before you go
