Doylestown Arts Festival Delivers Weekend Of Art, Music, and Community

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Doylestown Arts Festival dodged a forecast of heavy storms over the weekend drawing thousands to town for two days of art, food, and fun.

While on the humid side, Saturday brought big crowds to the streets of the historic borough as shoppers and browsers checked out each booth along the way.

From “wire people” to vinyl art, more than 160 artists brought their unique creations to show and share with the public.

Still images of Doylestown landmarks, handcrafted wooden bowls, drawings, sculpture, repurposed wood, and mixed media filled the booths lining the streets of the town center.

The event once again spanned across downtown Doylestown, lining State Street, Main Street, Oakland Avenue, Hamilton Street, and adjacent parking lots with art, music, and activities. Throughout the event, countless moments of collaboration, friendship, and kindness helped to
facilitate an environment of positivity and a space where everyone could come and enjoy the celebration of creativity.

"Thank you to everyone who puts a whole lot of heart and energy out to create one of the absolute best opportunities for independent artists and makers to connect with (the) community,” said Tari Zarka, a local glass artist.

For many of the participating artists and local businesses, the festival was a massive success. Early reports indicate that sales were once again strong, showing that large-scale events can have major, and long-lasting, economic benefits to the community. In addition, the festival
featured a range of local cultural destinations and arts organizations, helping to raise awareness and strengthen their position in the region.

“Doylestown, you never disappoint. Thanks for showing up with your friends, your families, your dogs, your kiddos, and your interest in supporting artists from a wide range of disciplines,” said Jan Powers, one of this year’s artists.

While visitors browsed through the arts and crafts, music filled the streets and the smell of delicious food hung in the air from Doylestown's many restaurants and eateries.

The Randy Lippincott Band & Alabama Sam rock State and Main.

Kris Boger and the crew from Discover Doylestown.

Throwing a bowl on a pottery wheel at West State and Hamilton.

At West State and Hamilton streets, festival attendees watched as an artist from Fleming Studios was throwing a bowl on a pottery wheel. Nearby, fine artist Sandra Eliot was working en plein air, capturing a scene on canvas along West State Street.

Meanwhile just up the block at the very busy Discover Doylestown table at Main and State kids were having a ball making sand art creations.

“For all they were calling for yesterday, I don’t think we could have had any better weather today,” said festival organizer Kris Boger late Saturday afternoon as a continuous crowd passed by the Discover Doylestown table.

“Stages are going full speed. The booths are filled. People are buying. And the restaurants are running low on food,” said Boger. “This is exactly what we had hoped for.”

Sunday brought some early morning rain, but the wet weather moved out just as the second day of the arts festival got underway.

"Despite all the forecasts and odds, we had two incredible days. The rain stayed away just long enough to welcome thousands of locals and visitors to Doylestown," Discover Doylestown posted on its Facebook page.

"To all our artists and performers - thank you for your enduring spirit and for brightening our town," the post continued. "To our sponsors, thank you for allowing us to make this experience free for the public. To everyone who came out, thank you for supporting the festival and welcoming us back each year. Year 32, in the books. The Doylestown Arts Festival will return in 2024."

The all-volunteer organizers and committee responsible for the festival worked for more than 10 months to carefully plan and execute the annual tradition, which is made free to the public in partnership with Discover Doylestown, The Borough of Doylestown, and dozens of local businesses, organizations, and residents. Behind the scenes of the festival, more than 130 volunteers worked from before dawn until well after the crowds had gone home to make sure the event ran smoothly.

“We remain in awe of this community and their seemingly tireless support of the local and regional art, music, and cultural scene. We took a gamble on the weather and we were rewarded with an incredible weekend of creativity and connection," said Paul Boger, who directs the event with his wife, Kris Boger, in a volunteer capacity each year.

Bucks County Classic Races Through Town

Sunday also brought the Bucks County Classic to town as professional cyclists whipped around the parameter of the arts festival grounds churning up excitement with every ring of the cowbell.

The excitement reached a fever pitch up on Court Street where the cyclists began and ended each race.

Skylar Schneider of L39ion Los Angeles took her second win in the Doylestown Health Pro Women’s race on Sunday while Robin Carpenter took the win in the Thompson Pro Men’s.

"Wow, wow, wow. What an absolutely incredible day yesterday," posted the Bucks County Classic on its Facebook page. "Thank you to the Borough of Doylestown, our sponsors, the crew, the volunteers, and everyone who came out to make magic with us as the best racers in the country gave it their all on the streets of Doylestown."

The 2023 race is made possible by the support of the Thompson Organization, Doylestown Health, Eastburn and Gray, the Borough of Doylestown, Singlecare, Marshall Financial Group, Hepatitis B Foundation, Baruch S Blumberg Institute, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Doylestown Health Foundation, Bucks County Tourism Grant Program, Verge Sport, Jarrett Vaughan Builders, C&N Bank, Terrain, UNDRBUDR, Bike Works, Millham Insurance, Encore Rides and Bridge Acupuncture.

Skylar Schneider, center, of L39gion Los Angeles, took her second win in the Doylestown Health Pro Women’s race on Sunday. Kim Stoveld from ABUS won the silver. And Skylar's sister, Samantha Schneider, from L39gion Los Angeles, won the bronze. Skylar also won a new award - the Most Aggressive Rider Jersey

(All photos By Jeff Werner)