Fred Fuller Park will feature art, music and poetry this weekend

Kent Parks and Recreation Department will be presenting its 16th annual Art in the Park festival this weekend free of charge at Fred Fuller Park.

The two-day event, a showcase of artists, their creations and an all-day live music concert, will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art in the Park will feature art in different media such as glass, fiber, metal and wood. Jewelry, photography prints, paintings, pottery and ceramics will be available for purchase.

In addition to the veritable cornucopia of art, the festival will also offer demonstrations from artists of diverse talent.

Merle Mollenkopf, a poet, will be strolling through the event reciting poetry; Nick Onuska,15, will be giving a yo-yo demonstration; William Roddey will be “painting in plastic” by juggling paint in a large plastic tent; and The Snow Flake Tea Room will be hosting a Japanese tea party.

There will also be two stages that will feature live music from several diverse artists, including: Up Til 4, an acoustic folk trio; Rio Neon, a jazz/folk group; and Ian Penter, a blues influenced singer/songwriter.

Another enticing aspect of the festival is it is family friendly. One of the highlights of this year’s event is what event coordinator Nancy Rice calls “Park in the Art.” In this area, children of all ages will be able to “use things in nature to create,” she said.

A wide variety of food vendors will also be spread throughout the park, including: The Almond Shop, Aunt Anne’s Ice Cream, Bubba’s Smokin BBQ and Wild West Kettle Korn.

For students, families or even couples, this weekend’s Art in the Park festival is a great source for fall entertainment and an even better source for finding truly local art.

Contact off-campus entertainment reporter Ryan Young at [email protected].