Paradise City Arts Festival
May 24 – 26, 2008
Three Country Fairgrounds
Route 9 and Old Ferry Road, Northampton, MA
Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Monday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
$15 (weekend pass); $12 (adult); $8 (students/seniors); Free (children under 12)
800-511-9725
[sidebar]Funky design, existential watercolor painting, and hand-sculpted pottery aren’t just for creative students and eclectic artists. The Paradise City Arts Festival is taking it mainstream with a celebration of art, food, and music that’s perfect for everyone. Go West (of 495), and enjoy Memorial Day weekend in one of the best small art towns in America—Northampton, Massachusetts.
Festival founders Geoffrey and Linda Post have brought together one of the largest and most impressive collections of art for sale in the area. Close to 250 local and international artists will paint the landscape with their vibrant sculptures, paintings, photographs, unique jewelry, custom furniture, and handcrafted clothing.
The Three County Fairgrounds will host a number of exciting daily events, including jazz ensembles with performances all weekend, and a silent art auction to benefit WGBY, Public Television for Western New England. Visitors will also have a chance to watch daily pottery, glass blowing, and even a silk thread painting demonstrations. And, if you’ve brought the kids along for the trip, they’ll love the PaintBox Theatre and New Century Theatre presentation of Aesop’s Fabulous Fables. They can also get a little messy with some arts and crafts at the Amherst Community Arts Center.
Once the hunger pangs settle in at the fairgrounds, there’s also a selection of pizza, sandwiches, and ethnic delicacies to choose from. After filling up at the food station, take a relaxed stroll through the festival sculpture garden, an idyllic outdoor space that was designed exclusively by Paradise City artists. Or take a drive back through the hills to one of many Berkshire area inns for a cozy and quiet evening—the perfect end to a spring afternoon in paradise.