68th Fine Arts Fiesta officially opens on Public Square

May 16—WILKES-BARRE — The 68th Fine Arts Fiesta was officially opened on Thursday by Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown, and it didn't take long for locals to flock to Public Square and check out what the regional art scene has to offer.

Founded in 1956 by Annette Evans and Al Groh, the Fine Arts Fiesta has become one of Wilkes-Barre's premier events.

The presence of Evans and Groh, who were both announced as 2024 Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame inductees earlier this spring, has remained in some form through the decades. This year, their likenesses were represented by cardboard cutouts under the Family Activity tent.

This year's opening ceremony featured brief remarks from Mayor Brown, who was presented with a framed Fine Arts Fiesta poster by Ann Saxton, president of the event's board of directors.

"This is going to go on the wall in my office," said Brown upon opening his gift on-stage.

Brown praised the event's organizers and expressed his excitement at having vendor representation from across the country, from Tennessee to Michigan. He said that the Fine Arts Fiesta is emblematic of Wilkes-Barre's rejuvenation efforts paying off. Those efforts, according to Brown, were noticed by non-local vendors.

"This is your city, folks," Brown said to the steadily growing audience. "What you see today is a city that's on the rebound and coming back. It's really nice when someone from out of the area says that."

Brown ceremonially opened the Fine Arts Fiesta to the public, who had already begun exploring the extensive offerings of food and art that were spread out across Public Square.

Landscape photographer Robert Vielee, of Clarks Summit, has traveled the country, snapping photos of some of the United States' most gorgeous scenery and sharing his work with various communities. But Vielee said there is something special about the Fine Arts Fiesta, where he has been a vendor for years.

"I do maybe half a dozen to ten art shows a year... this is the best show I do every year," Vielee said.

Vielee said he is impressed with the organizers who run the Fine Arts Fiesta, who have always been cooperative and helpful in his experience. The Fine Arts Fiesta staff, according to Vielee, are always prepared to lend a hand if he wants to explore the event himself.

"If I need somebody to watch my booth, you just hang a sign out and [the Fine Arts Fiesta staff] will come by, watch your booth, and you get a chance to walk around and see what the other people are doing," said Vielee.

Ed Brownlee brought his collection of ceramic pottery from Kalamazoo, Michigan, to be at the Fine Arts Fiesta. Like Vielee, he's become familiar with the event over the years and has been happy with his experience.

"I've been doing [the Fine Arts Fiesta] for a few years, and it's been good, so it's worth coming back still," Brownlee said.

Brownlee noted that while the Fine Arts Fiesta takes place in a smaller city than most of the shows he has attended, he enjoys the very localized clientele that it attracts.

Thought & Mind Leathercraft was represented at the festival by leather artist Spencer Zimmerman and Kelly, who was helping Spencer manage his tent. This was their first time at the Fine Arts Fiesta, and their initial impression of the event was positive.

"A lot of nice art here. I think that everyone here is very talented," said Kelly. "And it seems like a good crowd of people."

In addition to the vendors and food at the Fine Arts Fiesta, live performances will be running throughout the weekend. Michael Glabicki, of the Pennsylvania rock band Rusted Root, will perform as part of the Uprooted Trio at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Main stage performances during the final three days of the Fine Arts Fiesta include:

Friday, May 17

10:25 a.m. Chloe Orfanella, National Anthem

10:30 a.m. Dallas Middle Middle School Mountaineer Band/Chorus

11:45 a.m. Wyoming Valley West Middle School Spartan Singers

12:45 p.m. Wyoming Valley West Middle School Orchestra

1:45 p.m. Central Columbia Middle School Chorus & Band from Bloomsburg

3:30 p.m. Wilkes Barre Academy Glee Club

4:00 p.m. Rising Stars Performing Arts Academy

6 p.m. Brandon Brisk

7:30 p.m. Elephants Dancing

Saturday, May 18

10:55 a.m. Carl Achhammer, Jr. on Trumpet, National Anthem

11 a.m. Joan Harris Dance Center

Noon Rising Stars Theater Company

1 p.m. Katrina Lykes Music Studio

2 p.m. David Blight Dancers

3 p.m. PATAsphere

4 p.m. Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony Chorus

4:30 pm Mt. Zion Choir & Dancers

7:30 pm Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root Uprooted Trio

Sunday, May 19

10:30 a.m. The Wyoming Valley Poetry Society

Noon Downtime, sponsored by Price Chopper Market 32

1 p.m. Jr. Mozart Club of Wilkes Barre

2 p.m. Contra Dance/The Contra Rebels

4 p.m. Modern Ties