Did you check out Rutland’s big weekend?

By Gordon Dritschilo Herald Staff

Columbus Day Weekend was a busy one in Rutland, with events in and around the downtown.

Friday night was the Art Hop, with 13 participating venues including Timco Jewelers, Tattersall’s, Book King, the Rutland Area Natural Food Co-op, Tapas and Table 24. Organizer Patricia Kreitzer said three venues feature music this year.

“There’s an Irish-Celtic-Cajun kind of person who’s going to be at Arts and Antiques,” Kreitzer said. “She’s a very interesting entertainer.”

The other two musical acts were youth-oriented, with a children’s drum circle at Café Terra from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and a performance by Rutland High School’s Amadeus Quartet as well as a pair of musicians from Rutland Intermediate School at Limoges Antiques Shop from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Other pieces of the Art Hop include an opening at the Brick Box, displays at new Center Street business Cold River Frame Works and an exhibit of Aldo Merusi photographs at the Rutland Herald, Kreitzer said.

Saturday, Art in the Park and the Farmers’ Market were joined by Downtown Rutland’s Harvest Festival, a new event modeled after First Night, with different activities at various venues around downtown.

Events included walking tours by the Rutland Historical Society, an apple cider press demonstration, children’s songs, chainsaw sculptures and demonstrations of glass blowing and belly dancing. The full schedule is available at www.rutlanddowntown.com.

“When you get dropped off in Rutland, you’re right downtown,” he said. “It’s right in front of you. … The different venues make people walk around downtown. The pizza challenge makes people walk around downtown. The coupons will make people walk around downtown.”

Contact Gordon Dritschilo at gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com.