Weekend pick: Rutland’s Art in the Park

The prism of color throughout Main Street Park in Rutland this weekend during the 46th Annual Art in the Park Fall Foliage Festival is sure to complement that of the leaves on the trees.

Art in the Park is Vermont’s oldest continuing artist show with vendors chosen by a jury of area experts and Chaffee Art Center constituents.

It begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and runs to 5 p.m., with musical performances, a kid’s craft area and door prize drawings. Gates also open at 10 a.m. Sunday until 4:30 p.m., with music and crafts continuing and a grand prize draw to take place at 3 p.m.

At least 100 vendors, from as far away as Texas, will show off their creative flair, festive fare and crafty wares during the two-day event.

“We always have returning exhibitors, and new ones, too,” said event spokeswoman Sherri Birkheimer Rooker.

New at this year’s festival are demonstrations at the Chaffee Art Center building across the street from the park: On Saturday visitors can learn how to decorate cakes with Donna Brooks from 11 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Jen Bartholomew will give a watercolor demonstration. On Sunday at the center from 11 a.m. to noon Valerie Cleary will demonstrate how to make a fall centerpiece and from 1 to 2 p.m. Whitney Lamy will demonstrate calligraphy.

Musical performances will add soundtrack to the event throughout both days. The Back Home Again Band is scheduled to play Irish and folk music Saturday, with a group of dancers set to perform an Israeli circle dance from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Local folk pop singer/songwriter Phil Henry is scheduled to perform throughout the day Sunday.

Artistic flare throughout the festival will include oil and watercolor paintings, pottery, photographs and sculptures, with many crafters showing off their baskets, soaps, clothing, puzzles, jewelry, furniture and stained glass.

Edible goodies from local vendors range from veggie wraps to sausage and pepper submarine sandwiches, and from candied apples to apple pie.

Admission to the festival is by donation only and all proceeds go to further the Chaffee’s community art education programs. For more information call 775-0356.