Arts in the Park, Highland Park New Jersey's annual arts street festival, showcases fine arts and crafts from all over the region and shines a spotlight on Highland Park's vibrant, diverse, multi-faceted arts scene. Now in its tenth year, this outdoor juried art show and street fair draws thousands of people to the streets of Highland Park to enjoy top-notch art, music, and food while exploring Highland Park's downtown as a shopping and dining destination.
The festival will be on Sunday September 25 from 11:30 am - 4:30 pm along Raritan Avenue (Route 27) in downtown Highland Park, New Jersey. Raritan Avenue will be closed to traffic for the event.
The main attraction of Arts in the Park is the juried art show and arts and crafts sale, highlighting Highland Park's many artists as well as artists from around the region. Participants display and sell their work under tents downtown along Raritan Avenue. There will also be promotional booths from local businesses and organizations, a youth art show, food from local restaurants and food trucks, and performing arts and music performances by top entertainers from the region.
Juried Art Show
This year's art show judges represent a diverse array of artists, arts professionals, and local celebrities. The juried art show features cash awards for first, second, and third places in eight categories: Graphics/Drawing/Printmaking, Fine Crafts, Mixed Media, Textiles/Quilts/Needlework, Painting, Jewelry, Photography, and Sculpture.
Click here to see the program book with the entire list of participating artists!
This year's art show jurors are:
- Molly de Aguiar, Program Director, Informed Communities, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
- Chris Gash, Illustrator at chrisgash.com and visiting specialist at Montclair State University
- Géza Günther Schenk, Graphic Designer and Owner, GGS Communication, LLC
- Annie Hogan, Visual, Performing & Media Arts Department Chair at Middlesex County College
- Wendy Liscow, Education Program Director, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
- James Nichols, AIA, Architect and Main Street Highland Park Design Committee Chair
- Amee Pollack, Manager, BFA and BA programs in visual arts and design at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
- Melissa Quaal, Sewing blogger at ahappystitch.com, DIY sewing freelancer, and sewing instructor
Live Music & Performing Arts
On the festival's three performance stages along Raritan Avenue (Route 27), there will be a wide range variety of music and performances. Performance schedule is as follows:
STAGE #1
Raritan Avenue & 2nd Avenue
11:30 am - 12:05 pm:
John Bianculli
(Jazz)
12:15 pm - 12:30 pm:
Scarlet DuMonde
(Belly Dancing)
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm:
Snark Twins
(Rock)
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm:
Daoine
(Irish)
3:15 pm - 4:30 pm:
Magnolia Street String Band
(Bluegrass)
STAGE #2
Raritan Avenue @ 5th Avenue
11:30 am - 12:30 pm:
Tsu Fil Duvids
(Klezmer)
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm:
Krystal Alexis
(Lyrical, contemporary, & jazz dance)
1:15 pm - 1:30 pm:
Kinetics
(Zumba & Dance)
1:45 pm- 2:30 pm:
Mr. Ray
(Kids Rock)
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm:
Danny & Jeremy
(Rock)
4:00 pm - 4:30 pm:
Ziran Martial Arts
(Martial Arts)
SPEAK MUSIC STAGE
Raritan Avenue @ South 3rd Avenue
11:30 am - 4:30 pm:
Speak Music students & faculty
(Salsa, rock, and jazz)
Music for Mutts
On North 4th Avenue, there will "Music for Mutts," live music to raise money for two animal rescue groups, Sammy's Hope and Good Karma Dog Rescue. Music for Mutts will feature live music, animal adoptions, vendors, drink specials & tastings, a silent auction, a mobile groomer, and more.
Youth Art Show
The Youth Art Show tent will feature the artistic creations of Highland Park's youngest artists. This year's theme is Nature; the artwork is inspired by or made with materials from nature.
Learn More
For detailed music and performing arts stage schedules, the list of artists, and more information, please visit Main Street Highland Park's website,www.mainstreethp.org, or
Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MainStreetHP, or contact Main Street Highland Park Executive Director Rebecca Hersh at rebecca@mainstreethp.org or 732-828-8444.
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Sponsors
Main Street Highland Park would also like to thank our generous arts festival sponsors, without whom this festival would not be possible.
