The Main Street Arts Festival is back this fall, bringing three days of vibrant programming to Huron County from September 19 to 21.
The festival kicks off Friday, September 19, with Between Trails and Tangled Veins, an artist talk, workshop, and gallery tour led by Autumn Ducharme at the Blyth Festival Art Gallery. On Saturday, September 20, the Huron County Library’s Exeter Branch will host creative workshops, including Draw Cartoon Characters with Mazie Lovie and a costume and prop-making workshop for the Procession of the Species with Trash Theatre.
The celebration culminates Sunday, September 21, with a full-day street festival in Bayfield. From noon to 5 p.m., Main Street will close to vehicles and welcome art, music, and community activity. Highlights include Cesar Cordoba’s Animal Kinetic sculpture, musical buskers Jason & the Nomads and Dave Neigh’s Tuba Machine, and a range of hands-on artmaking opportunities such as block printing, cyanotype, and a community mural project led by Josslyn Hagen.
At 4 p.m., the Procession of the Species parade will bring the community together in a joyful display of handmade costumes and nature-inspired creations.
“This festival is a celebration of the incredible creativity that thrives across the County and surrounding areas,” said Allie Brenner, Cultural Development Officer for the Huron Cultural Office. “Whether you’re a seasoned art lover, curious to try something new, or looking for a fun family day out, the Main Street Arts Festival offers something for everyone.”
Presented by the Huron Cultural Office in partnership with the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Bluewater, and the Blyth Festival Art Gallery, the festival is part of Welcoming Week and Culture Days celebrations, with support from the Ontario Arts Council.
Admission is free, though registration is required for some programs. Full details are available at huroncounty.ca/cultural-services/arts-festival.