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Yorkfest returns downtown Aug. 27-28


One hundred fine artists from across the country are headed to downtown York this summer for York’s annual fine arts festival, Yorkfest.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, festival-goers can view and purchase a wide variety of artwork, meet the participating artists and enjoy live music, family-friendly entertainment, hands-on activities and food.

This year’s featured artist will be York painter Brenda Wintermyer, according to a news release. Her piece titled “City Alive,” which depicts a scene of downtown York, will be featured on Yorkfest’s promotional items.

“With the City of York celebrating 275 years in 2016 and Brenda’s large body of work featuring York landmarks, she was the ideal choice to be selected this year,” organizer Mary Yeaple said.

Other artists who would like to participate can find application information at yorkcity.org/yorkfest. The deadline to apply is May 15.

Here are some of the highlights of this year’s event:

Yorkfest Juried and Youth Art Exhibitions: Both exhibitions will be displayed at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St., near the south entrance to Yorkfest. A reception for art and literary award winners will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the museum. Youth interested in entering must submit works to Creative York by Aug. 10. Visit yorkcity.org/yorkfest for details.

Creative York Family Pavilion: Festival-goers can find magic shows, storytelling, balloon twisting, face painting, a musical petting zoo and interactive community art projects at this year’s new Creative York pavilion in the Gates & Plough Tavern Courtyard.

ChalkWalk: Watch colorful chalk murals come to life right before your eyes as Prime Art Supply Company takes over this year’s ChalkWalk. Murals will be on display along Market Street between Pershing and Beaver streets on Saturday. To register to be a chalk artist, visit www.primeartsupply.com.

Art Cars: The Parliament Arts Organization is rescuing 10 cars from the junkyard for a new attraction this year. Ten artists will spend the summer transforming these rescued cars, and their finished works can then be found on display along Market Street at the Codorus Creek Bridge during Yorkfest.

Activities at Colonial Courthouse: The York County Heritage Trust will bring several activities to the Colonial Courthouse Complex, such as demonstrations, talks and walking tours of the Murals of York and Colonial Courthouse. New this year, Marquis de Lafayette will also visit the Colonial Courthouse Saturday along with displays showcasing the 40th anniversary of the building of the courthouse.

Poetry Out Loud: Performance poetry, dramatic poetry, page poetry and spoken word can once again be found in 15-minute segments Saturday and Sunday at the Yorkfest Poetry Out Loud tent on Pershing Avenue. Yorkfest attendees are welcome to perform.

Codorus Creek Boat Parade: The parade by the Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna will launch at 2 p.m. Saturday from Bantz Park.

Community Jazz Concert: This free concert will include performances from Jeff Stabley and Friends and Extremity at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Capitol Theatre.

For more information, visit www.yorkcity.org/yorkfest, like the York City Special Events page on Facebook or follow @YorkCityEvents on Twitter.