The 56th Anacortes Arts Festival, one of the largest and oldest arts festivals in the Northwest, fills downtown Anacortes starting Friday.
The festival, running Friday through Sunday, Aug. 4-6, features 250 juried Booth Artisans from around the country including jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, glass, wearables, wood, metal and outdoor art.
Three stages with extended evening hours showcase 32 musical acts. Main stage is Country, Pop, Americana and World Music, including names like Chance McKinney and John Van Deusen. Jazz Stage has regional Jazz, Swing and Blues – Pearl Django, Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra. The Waterfront Stage features eclectic fare like Commander Mojo & The Horns of Discontent.
Arts at the Port is the crown jewel of the Festival. It showcases regional fine artists in a unique, waterfront setting, relating to the theme Resonance. The Juried Show was selected by Pablo Schugurensky, a prominent Seattle arts professional - the Allen Family Focus Gallery is a collaborative installation by three Orcas Island artists who work in mixed media & ceramic.
Working Studios finds master craftsmen demonstrating traditional, contemporary and folk art forms. Highlighted is sand sculpture by a nationally recognized sculptor, chainsaw sculpture, blacksmithing, traditional basketry, mural painting, wood working and plein air artists – as well as a participatory fiber installation and painted piano public art project.
Culinary Food Court vendors serve up regional, ethnic foods and goodies. A new Food Truck Alley showcases creative offerings including hand-tossed pizza, chicken & waffles, mac & cheese variations and farm-to-truck grilled sandwiches. Four beer & wine gardens serve microbrews, craft beer, Northwest wines and cocktails. Located adjacent to Stages and Food Truck Alley, our Beer Gardens offer a great place to sit, refresh and relax.
A fun hands-on youth activity area for kids and Art Dash certified half marathon 10k & 5k round out the Festival activities. Visit the festival web site for more information.