Do you have a love and appreciation for all different kinds of art? How would you like to have the thrill of experiencing creative original works and exhibits by hundreds of artists, all of varying styles and mediums all in one place? Well, great news; you can do just that by attending the Long’s Park Art Festival in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania this weekend.
A beloved lead-up to Labor Day tradition spanning more than four and a half decades, Long’s Park Art Festival 2024 officially kicks off its 46th year beginning on Friday morning, August 30. The festival will run through Sunday evening, September 1.
The first inaugural Art Festival of this nature was held on July 4, 1976. Originally intended to be a celebratory event by the Lancaster County Bicentennial Committee, its massive turnout success and popularity draw didn’t go unnoticed by the existing Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation. The Foundation was already actively seeking innovative ideas to raise funds for the Park’s onsite amphitheater. Hosting an art festival seemed to offer the perfect solution.
Soon after, it was established that the Art Festival would be an annual event with a two-fold objective. It would endow the community with a new quality arts event to be experienced every summer while also serving as a major fundraiser for the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation in their ongoing missions. The festival was made into a Labor Day tradition in 1979 when it was first held in collaboration with the Foundation’s annual Day of Music. Click here to read about the history of music at Long’s Park Amphitheater. You can also learn about their ever-popular Summer Music Series here.
Since those earlier days, the Long’s Park Art Festival has grown from featuring just under 90 juried artists and craftspeople to a much more impressive number of well over 200 participants. It also draws in crowds of more than 11,000 attendees—a number that grows each year.
Featured exhibitors at every Art Festival are meticulously selected through a competitive jury process. So, you know you’re getting the best of the best in the way of local and national talent alike.
Artistic contributions are divided into more than 20 diverse categories. These range in Ceramics, Digital Art, Drawing, Emerging Artists, Fiber-Decorative, Fiber-Wearable, Functional Art, Furniture, Glass, Jewelry (Precious), Jewelry (Nonprecious), Leather, Metal, Mixed Media (2D), Mixed Media (3D), Painting (Acrylic or Oil), Painting (Watercolor), Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Upcycle, and Wood. Click here to see all of the 2024 vendors.
During the event, artists and craftsmen set up all around the pristine, shaded tree-lined surroundings of scenic Long’s Park. Not only is Long’s Park site to the famed Amphitheater, but it’s an artistic natural work of art itself. As described on the website, during these events the park is transformed “into a beautiful outdoor gallery filled with ‘artful memories’ for everyone.”
In addition to browsing premium pieces of art, meeting and mingling with the most amazing artists and crafters, and taking in all the other sights, there will be several notable food vendors on location to keep you fueled and nourished throughout the day. Choose from award-winning BBQ, a variety of charcuterie boards, sandwiches and salads, ice cream, craft beer, and more. Whatever you’re hankering for, you’re sure to find it here.
Long’s Park Amphitheater has been an interactive staple and purveyor of talent and creativity for more than six decades and continues to be a major area attraction. Again, all proceeds from the festival benefit Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation and also support other economic avenues for artisans and craftsmen throughout Lancaster.
Tickets are on sale now. You can purchase yours today by clicking on the link.
Long Park’s Art Festival 2024 will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (August 30 and 31) and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday (September 1). The physical address to Long’s Park is 1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601. To learn more, visit the website at www.longspark.org.