Annual Mattoon Street Fest is on its way
By Lori O'Brien
Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD Stately Mattoon Street with its herringbone brick sidewalks will once again come alive for the annual Mattoon Arts Festival Sept. 9-10.
Now in its 34th year, the popular outdoor arts and crafts show is organized by neighborhood volunteers to raise funds for maintaining and enhancing the area which is considered the city's first historic district, according to Bob McCarroll, festival coordinator.
"Folks should come to the festival because we are free and nearby, and have a great selection of affordable handmade items," said McCarroll, adding "shop for the holidays!"
The festival features original works created by painters, photographers, potters, jewelers, weavers, glass workers and other craftspeople, according to McCarroll, adding that most of the exhibitors are from the Pioneer Valley.
The festival committee is still accepting applications for exhibitors with the exceptions of the jewelry and photography categories. An application should include three slides or color photographs and an entry fee of $125. A prompt refund of the fee will be made to applicants who are not accepted into the show.
"Only works created by an exhibitor may be sold," he said.
Area exhibitors participating in the show at press time in the photography category include Holowitz Photography, Diana Mara Henry Photography, and Keith Sikes, all of Springfield, Spirit of Life Photography in Wilbraham, and J. David Bowman Photography of Longmeadow. Fiber exhibitors include Sheila Bracani, Valley Vogue Collections, and Madina & Amina, Somali Bantu Stitchers, all of Springfield, All By Hand Fabric Art from Granville, and Doll Clothes & Quilts by Jane of Granby.
In the prints, painting and drawing categories, exhibitors include Awilda Oxios, Caleb Colon, Omarthan Clarke, Alice Dezan and Art by Marcos, all of Springfield, Kimmy Koi Art of Feeding Hills, and Michelle Pescetta of West Springfield. In the general crafts and mixed media category, exhibitors include Kevin Wallace and Rick Morest, Sheila and George Marshall, Manos Hill Soap Company, Paper Fantasy and Double Joy Arts, all of Springfield, Ribbon Rules of Longmeadow, Kaleidoscope Artworks of Chicopee, Bette Jo Clark of West Springfield, Spa Luxuries of Monson, and Black Tie Baskets of South Hadley.
Jewelers exhibiting will include Mugglestone, Paula Proulx, and Gioia Designs Jewelry by Joyce Alonge, all of Springfield, Unscripted Fine Art Jewelry of Longmeadow, Belle's Creations of Feeding Hills, Grunes Glass of South Hadley, and Keiden Designs and Melanie Kellogg, both of Westfield. Maurice Kelliher of Springfield and Cedar Swamp Pottery of Wilbraham will be featured in the ceramics category, while Reece Dezan of Springfield and R.A. Shepard Woodworking of Wilbraham will be featured in the wood/basketry/metal categories. Lastly, the glass category will feature Heidi's Customworks of Springfield, Haywire Art of East Longmeadow, and Joe Peters Glass of Chicopee.
Entertainment will include violinist Stacia Filipiak, classical guitarist Judy Simmonds, Celtic harpist Pat Larkin, Down Memory Lane Barbershop Quartet, Bill Glenny's Dixieland Duo, guitar vocalist Karen Davis, lutist Meg Pash and accordionist Jim Dascanio.
A special event on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. will feature a tour of the tiny townhouse gardens not seen from the street. Tickets for the garden tour are $5 and can be purchased that day.
Food vendors throughout the festival will include Moe's Dogs, Stefan's Polish Deli, Mexitalia Restaurant and the Hispanic Baptist Church.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days with free admission. Free festival parking is located in lots on Pearl Street and the Civic Center garage on Harrison Avenue. There is also free on-street parking.
For more information, call McCarroll at (413) 736-0629 or visit www.mattoonfestival.
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