Brighton Fine Art and Acoustic Music Festival Returns with Added Flair

In addition to artwork and food, this year's , which is slated for Saturday and Sunday, will feature a beverage garden and entertainment area.

“We decided to add the beverage garden and entertainment area this year to give a larger focus to the art of acoustic music. Live music has always been an element of the event, but we want to highlight the level of talent we have at these events,” Becca Boss, who serves as Director of Events for the , said.

Wine and microbrews will be available in the beverage garden, which will be open all day but accessible only to adults 21 and older after 6 p.m. A $2 entry fee will be charged to anyone 21 and older. Musicians will perform acoustic music from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

This year also marks the festival's first year in a new location. Previously held on Main Street, the 28th annual Brighton Fine Art and Acoustic Music Festival will take place in the parking lot near and the Imagination Station.

More than 70 local and national artists with specializations in glass, watercolor, oils, sculpture, photography, pottery, jewelry, woodcarvings, and more are scheduled to participate. To maintain the festival's level of quality, the organizers of the event require that the artists display only original work.

Each of the artists in attendance will vie for the coveted Artisan Guild Award, a juried prize that guarantees and free booth space at next year's festival. The artists will also have an opportunity to network at the invitation-only artist's reception.

The work of many Brighton-area artists will be featured at a booth run by . A handfull of artists will also demonstrate certain techniques all weekend. Clay artist Pamela Day will give a demonstration from 10 a.m. - noon on Sunday. Mixed media artist Peggy Brewer will follow with a pastel demonstration from noon – 2 p.m. on Sunday.

“Last year's festival was extremely successful with crowds lining the streets. We expect another thriving year at this 28th annual event,” Boss said.

Many downtown restaurants and merchants are gearing up for increased business.

“We'll be featuring toasted coconut and cake batter custard, our most popular flavors,” Sheryl Kemmering, co-owner of , said.

Located at 415 Mill Pond Ln., Jack's door opens to the parking lot where the event will take place. Kemmering said she anticipates big crowds and long lines because of the event.

“We are prepared for a very, very busy day,” she said.

Mark Plotzke, manager of , has a different perspective of how the event will affect business.

“We'll be open for regular business, but we anticipate being slower than usual,” Plotzke said. “The beverage garden and food trailers take away from business a little.”