NORWICH – It was a celebration of the arts this weekend as thousands of spectators from across the northeast made their way to East and West Park for the 16th Annual Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival.
Artists, vendors and exhibitors of all kinds were on hand for the two-day event and Colorscape Executive Director Peggy Finnegan said many she had spoken with reported “excellent sales” and that some were “actually running out of inventory” – a rarity, she added.
“Saturday was just perfect and it seems we’re getting bigger and bigger every year,” stated Finnegan. “The arts are so important to the community and to everyone, really.”
Those in attendance throughout the weekend had the opportunity to peruse all manner of visual, musical, creative and culinary art forms, at no cost, a key to the festival’s continued success, stated Finnegan.
Elmira’s Playing with Fire Glass Studio artist Kristin Deady, a 1998 Norwich alumni, has returned to her hometown for the two-day event every year for the last four years, one she called her favorite by far.
“I love the chance to come home, visit with family and it’s such an outstanding show,” said Deady, who’s been awarded first place in the glass category for two years straight. “The quality of craftsmanship at Colorscape is simply amazing and it’s something the city should be proud of.”
Elizabeth Yates of McDonough-based Studio Yates agreed, and said for she and husband Robert, the festival was “one of our favorite shows” out of the 20 or so the couple attend yearly.
“It’s our local show and we’re treated so well. It really brings in a great crowd,” said Yates, who’s been a regular at Colorscape for the last decade. “It was a record year for us and it exposed everyone to the arts, overall just a great experience.”
Owego residents Grace and John Mistretta, along with son Mike, have been regulars at Colorscape over the years and both said the small-town atmosphere is something they look forward to when the festival rolls around.
“Norwich does a great job, the artisans are some of the best we’ve ever seen and it represents what small-town America used to be,” said the couple. “You’re not going to find this anywhere else.”
According to Finnegan, the festival wouldn’t be possible without the estimated 200 volunteers who devote their time and skills from the set-up of the first exhibit to the tear down at the festival’s conclusion.
“It’s an outstanding show and we had another great year,” stated six-year volunteer Joe Coe. “Colorscape brings out some of the best in local and regional talent, it brings the community together and it energizes businesses within the community, it’s great for everyone involved.”
In addition, those seeking further entertainment didn’t have far to look, as the NBT Main Stage once again played host to a plethora of local, regional, national and international musical talent.
Colorscape Music Coordinator Ken Millett called the event, and the wide variety of music performed over the weekend, “absolutely unbelievable” and added “everything went off beautifully.”
“It just gets better and better and some of the performances this year were the best we’ve ever had,” stated Millett. “It was just a wonderful, wonderful lineup, from McPeake to Aztec Two-Step, who were phenomenal, to The Horse Flies, who just brought down the house.”
Millett said he believed Saturday’s attendance may have surpassed that of previous years, and added a number of food vendors, artists and musicians echoed that sentiment.
For more information on Colorscape Chenango visit www.colorscape.org.