The Frederick Festival of the Arts, presented by the Frederick Arts Council, will once again be held along Carroll Creek Linear Park in the heart of Historic downtown Frederick, Maryland on June 1stthrough 2nd. This juried, fine art show features over 100 artists from across the country in more than a dozen mediums. Live music and dance performances take place on three stages, plus artist demonstrations, children’s activities, beer and wine gardens and extensive food court are all at this Creekside celebration.
The Frederick Festival of the Arts is free and open to the public. A festival map is available for download here.
FESTIVAL DETAILS
Friday, May 31st:
Kickoff celebration – 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. [Art booths are not open on Friday]
Saturday, June 1st:
Festival is open – 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. [Art booths close at 6 p.m.]
Sunday, June 2nd:
Festival is open – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Family Beer & Wine Garden
Adjacent to the Food Court, the Main Stage beer and wine garden is open to ALL ages. It offers local Brewer’s Alley craft beer and a selection of wine and sangria from local purveyor Spin the Bottle. Snacks are also available, with purchases from the near-by food court welcome. All ages welcome in Garden; ID required to purchase alcohol.
Homegrown Artisan Food Garden
Located at the top of the amphitheater, the Homegrown Artisan Food Garden features local Frederick County products included wine, beer and gourmet snacks. In addition, Artisan Food exhibitors have been added to showcase their culinary products. The shade of a tent and relaxing tables and chairs make this a lovely opportunity to view the Festival while enjoying a beverage.
The Festival Shop
Offering unique Frederick-themed keepsakes and Festival tee-shirts with 100% of proceeds benefitting the Frederick Festival of the Arts.
Culinary Arts
- Cob’s Kettle Corn
- Crepes Parfait
- Daisy Lane Creamery
- Gosia Perogies
- JB Seafood
- Just Smokin Around
- Kona Ice
- Jodi’s Doughnuts
ACTIVITIES
Artist Demonstrations
Hood College Pottery Demonstrations
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Graduate Students and Faculty members from the Hood College ceramics program will be giving pottery wheel demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday during the Festival of the Arts.
Artifacts Glass Blowing
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Originally from Frederick, Maryland Spencer Marshall now lives in northern Philadelphia. In October of 2014 Spencer took his first two introductory lessons behind the burner from Robert Kincheloe of Bullrun Valley Glass. After practicing pipe making for about a year, Spencer enrolled in classes at Salem Community College where he received two Associates degrees: Fine Art with a concentration in glass and Scientific Glass Technology.
As a pipe maker, Spencer seeks a balance of design, craftsmanship, and artistry in his finished pieces.
After four years on the torch and having made hundreds of finished pieces, Spencer is now moving towards taking on students, while refining old techniques and discovering new ones.
Mid-Maryland Woodturners Club
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Club members will demonstrate turning small wooden items, such as bowls, vases, boxes, spurtles, handles, bottle stoppers, ornaments, spinning tops and weed pots.
Interactive Car Art
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m
Get wild and crazy while connecting to your inner-child. Paint, smocks and brushes included. Brought to you by Second Chances Garage, a Frederick nonprofit who helps local families and individuals get back on their feet by: accepting donated vehicles; repairing them; offering them to families in need for a nominal fee and offering Reduced Car Repair for those who qualify.
“A Year of LIVE Art”
Stop by the LIVE ART booth to chat with plein air painters, and even try your own hand at painting! All ages welcome. Juried “paint-out” on Saturday with winner announced that day at 4pm. Silent auction to benefit Frederick Arts Council with winners announced Sunday at 2pm.
Downtown Frederick Partnership “First Saturday” Blue Chair Art Installation
Amphitheater
Saturday, 10a.m.-6p.m. | Sunday, 1p.m – 4p.m.
Participatory public art project for adults and children that will be displayed throughout Downtown Frederick during July and August First Saturday events.
Sky Stage
Sky Stage will feature an installation created for FFOTA by artist Amy Boone-McCreesh who competed her BFA at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and her MFA at Towson University. She specializes in mixed media works and pieced objects — bright color, pattern and irregular shapes bursting from gallery walls, covering objects and furniture or hanging in fanciful garlands.
Frederick County Public Libraries – Children’s Activities
Burr Artz Library, adjacent to Carroll Creek
Saturday, 10am – 5pm | Sunday, 1pm – 4pm
In the Branch: Variety of hands-on art activities for adults and children, display of art work created by local school children and live entertainment throughout the weekend.
In the Community Room: The Little Gym of Frederick Experience – an active and air-conditioned break for families with children ages 0-10 will take place in the Community Room. *Note, a signed waiver is required.
Delaplaine Visual Arts Center – Children’s Activities & Exhibits
Saturday, June 1
10a.m.-5p.m. International Children’s Films in partnership with Frederick Film Festival
10a.m.-5p.m. Delaplaine Arts & Crafts Expo
10a.m.-5p.m. Exhibits on view: National Juried Exhibit; Jacob Zimmerman; Steven Donegan; Brenda Murphy
12p.m.-5p.m. Drop-in Art Activities for All Ages (projects tbd)
1p.m.-3p.m. Helen Smith Free Workshops for Kids (preregistration required) – Scrap Fabric and Garland (ages 6-8) | Pop Up Books (ages 9-12)
3p.m.-5p.m. Creative Outlet – Drop-in Art Projects inspired by artist MC Escher
Sunday, June 2
11a.m.-5p.m. International Children’s Films and Exhibits on view
ENTERTAINMENT
Main Stage
Friday, May 31 6p.m. – 8p.m.
The Original Booze Brothers
The Original Booze Brothers, a Frederick Maryland band founded by Lee Radcliffe and Fred Humbert, have been getting fans, young and old, dancing for years. Their high energy Motown inspired songs have all been rearranged to maximize the audiences’ listening and dancing experience. Anti-depression Blues for the masses.
Saturday, June 1
11:30a.m. – 1:00p.m | Cecelia Grace
With a distinct and jaw dropping voice, twenty-four year old Cecilia Grace is an award winning singer-songwriter from Baltimore, MD. Her raw vocals have been compared to mega pop stars Maren Morris, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor and Stevie Nicks. With her knack for improv between songs, Cecilia’s banter with audiences makes them feel like they’re hanging with a friend whether she’s on stage or on social media.
1:00p.m. – 4:30p.m.| The CRAWDADDIES
East Coast’s legendary roots rock, party band infuses Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, Roots Rock, Ska and Reggae into an incomparable, groove-laden sound that is unquestionably their own.
The Crawdaddies have toured the USA extensively earning a strong grass roots following and worldwide accolades for their recordings and high-energy live show.
5:00p.m. – 8:30p.m. | Cathy Ponton King
Specializing in blues, swing, rock and roll, and her own rhythm and blues compositions, Cathy learned music from Muddy Waters, Albert Collins, Willie Dixon, KoKo Tayler and Bo Diddley among others, opening for them at shows, jamming on stage and spending hours backstage with the greats. Cathy’s music is featured on radio all over the world and locally on Washington DC’s jazz and blues station, WPFW.
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Anam Cara
Anam Cara is a fusion belly dance troupe based out of Frederick Maryland under the direction of Lindsey McCormick. Each member brings their own special flair and style to the table, and have demonstrated passion and love for belly dance and the desire to share that dance with as many people as possible. Anam Cara translates to “Friend of my soul” and the foundation for Troupe Anam Cara, as is each member’s love for the dance and the friendships that blossom as a result. Current members performing at the festival are Lindsey, Tracy, Jamie, Laura, Rane and Jen. For more information on Anam Cara and Frederick belly dance classes, check us out at www.facebook.com/AnamCaraDance
Sunday, June 2
11:30a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | US Navy Superintendents Combo
Back by popular demand! The Superintendent’s Combo is the United States Naval Academy Band’s jazz combo designated to support the many social events hosted by the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. The group regularly performs for local military officials and visiting dignitaries from around the globe.
Under the direction of Senior Chief Musician James Fowler, the Superintendent’s Combo has become one of the most sought-after ensembles in the Naval Academy Band for concerts and clinics at schools throughout the region.
2:00p.m. – 4:30p.m. | Sweet Something
Sweet Something is an up and coming DC band with an intimate soulful sound – mixing retro Jazz lounge vibes with a contemporary flare, Latin and Soul influences, charismatic piano playing, and sultry vocals.
Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise (FAME) Stage
Saturday, June 1
11:00a.m. | Michelle Swan
Self-reflective and intensely observant, Michelle deftly weaves lyric and note together to create intensely personal songs that tell of sentiments and circumstances nonetheless familiar to all of us.
12:00p.m. | Ed Barney
Ed blends blues, soul and classic rock with folk and bluegrass, using his intricate guitar work to interpret and produce songs that are familiar to the ear.
1:00p.m. | Thomas Roue
Captivating lyrics and vocals woven together with darn good guitar chops, Thomas Roue is the acoustic voice of Southern PA.
2:00p.m. | Windon & Ricker
Soulful acoustic folk/rock that grabs your attention. Wonderful music with terrific harmonies and some of the best guitar and bass lines in the Mid-Atlantic region.
3:00p.m. | Julie Lloyd
Embracing the very best elements of pop, rock and classic soul, she can move you from uncontrollable dancing to go to the brink of tears in a moment. Juliet Lloyd is on “the cusp of stardom” according to the Boston Globe.
4:00p.m. | Todd C Walker
Smooth vocals and nice guitar work blend together to produce original songs that will become old friends, mixed in with popular songs that remind you of youth and a happy heart.
Sunday, June 2
11:00a.m. | Craig Cummings
Craig is a performing songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland. He uses his love of language, his strong voice, and rhythmic guitar style to craft songs that depict first-person accounts of life’s twists and turns, songs influenced by songwriters such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Rosanne Cash and Lucinda Williams.
12:00p.m. | Patchwork Dorothy
Playing a mix of well-known songs and genres from the 50’s to the 90’s their energetic style aims to please any audience.
1:00p.m. | Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor have appeared at a variety of venues throughout the tri-state area for well over a decade. Their musical style influences include rock, country, blues and more, featuring great vocal harmonies backed with solid rhythms and melodic leads to create a full sound.
2:00p.m. | Michael Shirf
Mike picked up the guitar at a young age, and began playing his self-taught style in church and youth coffee houses by the age of 14. His vast repertoire and sublime vocal/guitar styling are sure to please.
3:00p.m. | Nicole Belanus
Singer-songwriter from Falls Church, Virginia with folk-rock and soul influences. She delivers a strong vocal performance with memorable melodies for fans of Dar Williams, Sheryl Crow and Shawn Colvin.
4:00p.m. | Casey Cleveland
Casey Cleveland is a singer-songwriter who is equally at home with a guitar in hand or sitting behind a drum kit, influenced by The Beatles, POCO, CSNY and The Tom Petty Band, and even a little AC/ DC. His drumming has influenced his approach to songwriting, creating music that is rhythmic and percussive by nature