slides: StART on the Street Delivers City’s Biggest Arts Event

Email to a friend Permalink

Monday, June 11, 2012

Ashley Klann, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

This year, the biggest arts festival in Central Mass took it to the Canal District, bringing over 150 artists and craft vendors, food, and music. To celebrate StART on the Street’s tenth year of bringing local creativity together, they moved their event to the new location. Rain pushed the date of this year’s festival back one week, but as indicated by the droves of people that hit Green Street Sunday afternoon, the small team that puts on the festival didn’t miss a beat.

Eight-year volunteer and Worcester resident, Cindy Aiken stood near a giant pink, papier-mâché pig collecting donations to keep the event going strong.

“I don’t usually volunteer at the spring event. I’m usually on Park Ave., but this year with the date change and everything they were a little worried about having enough help, so I volunteered,” she said. “But it’s a great event. The weather’s perfect.”

Booths lined the street as vendors sold everything from jewelry to paintings to clothing and accessories. Informational tables were also there to inform visitors about the benefits of the WOO Card, local asthma initiatives, and other causes.

The weather made of a perfect opportunity to enjoy one of the street festival’s most popular treats – chocolate covered, frozen bananas. The food court offered up tons of local goodies from Loving Hut, Nu Café, and others.

Bars down Green Street and the restaurants and stores on the surrounding streets opened their doors to the influx of traffic, making this year’s event a solid community effort.

“I really like this location compared to North Main Street location. It’s easier to get to. You don’t have to walk up steep hills to get to the parking spots,” Aiken said. “I think the Canal District businesses embraced it where the North Main folks didn’t. I’m really happy that everybody’s out.”

Live entertainment and art demos populated the street. StART on the Street had much to offer, and depending on your time and location you could have seen blacksmithing, giant bubbles, skateboarders, or a folk band.

If you missed this season’s event, don’t worry. StART on the Street will be back in September for their original festival on Park Ave. where you’ll once again be able to enjoy all the local art, food, music, and fun.

Related Articles

• Big Changes Coming to the Largest Arts Festival in Central Mass.
• Arts Worcester Dances to the Moon
• Five Worcester Artists to Watch
• Local Artists Raise Money for Baby with Leukemia

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink