State College community declares Arts Fest a success

STATE COLLEGE - As the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts wraps up its 46th year this afternoon, community members and event officials said they welcomed the "homecoming" aspect of the festival and the start of a return to normalcy in State College.

The festival, which drew tens of thousands of visitors to the Penn State campus and downtown, was a success, Executive Director Rick Bryant said.

A mix of veteran and new exhibitors, activities and live performances ensured there was truly "something for everyone," Bryant said.

"Something that's new this year, we have some educational workshops," and kids' activities, Bryant said. Children were invited to create their own books and stories out of recycled Arts Festival papers and crafts.

The weekend event drew visitors from across the commonwealth, including many students and families with Penn State ties, he said.

The atmosphere and welcoming crowd prompted Manheim native Ray Becker to return to the festival with his photography prints after an eight-year absence.

"I said, 'I'll give it a shot,' and I'm very happy already," he said.

Becker uses a 60-year-old film camera to capture various landscapes and other portraits. The photos are then framed in antique and salvaged frames - a vintage look complete with old cameras and film canisters on display in Becker's tent.

Becker said engaging with the crowd and the quality of the other exhibitors in the show makes the Arts Festival unique.

Penn State students Brittany Rowley and Ryan Kinzler agreed.

"I've never been around something that had this much variety," in terms of an art show, Kinzler, 20, said.

The sidewalk chalk sculptures on Heister Street were also impressive, Rowley added.

A mathematics education major taking classes at the university over the summer, Kinzler said he enjoyed summer in State College and was surprised by the scope of the festival.

State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham said the event typically sees an influx of students on Friday and Saturday nights. While the celebratory atmosphere for returning students cannot be ignored, the town has seen little problems over the past few years, she said.

Officers from State College Police Department did not return calls for comment.

But the event is much more focused on family and bringing the State College community out into the streets to enjoy the artwork and live music, Goreham said.

"I know that for me, it's really great because there are a couple of vendors I look forward to seeing every year," she said.

While the overall mood in State College is still somewhat "subdued," residents seemed to be out in force over the weekend, she said.

"Somehow, Arts Fest this year seems to be more personal for State College," Goreham said.

Source: http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/562471.html

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