The 43rd Annual Long’s Park Art Festival: September 3–5

Long’s Park Amphitheater is excited to host its 43rd annual Art Festival on Labor Day weekend, starting Friday, September 3rd and ending Sunday, the 5th. Those well-versed in local history may know that Long’s Park Amphitheater gets its name from Judge Henry G. Long, its posthumous benefactor. Long willed his summer property to the City of Lancaster, with the condition that the property hosted cultural events for the public. In the same spirit of civic engagement, the annual art festival showcases artists from all over the country to raise funds for the non-profit’s free cultural programs like the Summer Music Series. “Through the Summer Music Series and the Art Festival, the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation brings a cultural spark of life to our city that we need, in addition to all the other great volunteer organizations that are helping to feed, clothe, and educate our community,” says Bonnie St. John, Operations Director at the Art Festival.

Pictured Above: Emerging Artist Chelsea McMaster

Rick Faulkner, Art Festival Artistic Director, knows firsthand the festival’s impact on Lancaster’s community. In 1979 his father organized the first art festival, and father and son worked and ran the art show together for 15 years. Over the years, Faulkner has seen the local community event become a national attraction, with 200 exhibitors, from over 25 states and more than 1,000 visitors each year. “Yes, this event is for Lancaster, but we also attract patrons from Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, and New York. It was important to show people in the region that there is more than one experience in Lancaster, and we have a thriving creative community downtown,” says Faulkner.

This three-day event has something for everyone. It is showcasing art in a variety of mediums, from painting and watercolor to photography and metalwork. Visitors will experience returning artists like Wiwat Kamolpornwijit, John Mascoll, and Sangjoon Park and emerging artists who are just entering the creative field like, Phoebe Gilman, Aya Kinoshita, and Chelsea McMaster. Local food lovers can get excited about the food truck section, and families will enjoy the arts and crafts tent set up in partnership with Lancaster Creative Reuse. Fashion and home goods enthusiasts will enjoy shopping for one-of-a-kind pieces from local artisans. With fresh air, delicious food, and great artists, the Long’s Park Amphitheater Art Festival is the perfect way to end the summer.

If you would like to attend this year’s Art Festival, you can visit the Long’s Park Amphitheater website: longspark.org/art-festival to purchase your tickets today!