ALLENTOWN, Pa. — There are a few new things at Mayfair Festival of the Arts in 2025 — weather included.
Shortly after 7 p.m. Friday, the first night of the free festival held on the campus of Cedar Crest College, attendees ran for cover as small hail fell from the sky.
After the short-lived hailstorm, Molly Herman, lead singer for the Weekenders, joked onstage that she thought the mainstage tent had filled up with people who were inspired by her rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)."
"You can still dance now that you're here," she quipped before breaking into a cover of A-Ha's "Take on Me."
The Weekenders are among the 13 performers slated to perform at the festival, which will run from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
But it looks like umbrella will no longer be needed. According toWeather.com, Saturday's forecast calls for warmer temps (a high of 60) and Sunday will be breezy with sunshine, with a high of 65.
You may have missed Friday's hail, but there's still plenty of cool attractions happening, including a drone show that will brighten the night sky on Sunday night.
Free entry, burgers, and fudge
The festival is free to attend, with free onsite parking, too, but there's a cost to eat, drink and shop. Vendors' offerings are cashless this year.
The food is pretty tasty, and there are dishes from around the globe.
Some of our recommendations: cheeseburgers and fries from Heaven on a Bun, pastelillos from the Puerto Rican Culture Preservation, and an out-of-this-world blueberry or apple pie cone (with or without ice cream) from Pie in a Cone.
Longtime vendors at Mayfair, Pie in a Cone co-owner Jennifer Brocato said she had never seen hail at the festival, now in its seventh year at Cedar Crest College.
"Though it was 35 degrees one year, and we were swamped because we had hot chocolate," she said.
Other food to try: grilled peanut butter spareribs and chicken kabobs from Kou Kitchen (A Taste of Africa) and meat and chicken-filled tortillas from Take a Taco.
Your Chocolate Guys' fudge stand will offer free samples of its delicious sweets and a free sticker to all those who try their neon green pickle fudge, which is surprisingly savory.
Odd art, handmade jewelry
Honestly, it's hard to walk around the festival grounds without wanting to shop.
In total, 47 indoor and outdoor artists and vendors carry wares as diverse as handmade soaps, candles, oils and lotion, and handmade clothing, leather, crystals, jewelry and pottery.
For attendees, it may be tempting not to spend, but for artisans and crafters, Mayfair gives them a chance to showcase their work and community with audiences.
For some spooky, but gorgeous, home decor, check out the pieces by Amanda Thompson of Bones' n' Blooms.
Thompson's designs are made with animal bones, ethically sourced taxidermied animal heads, and plastic skulls and ponies.
They're brought back to life with colorful beads and glitter, tiaras, ribbons, jewelry and lush green moss and plants.
Now in her second year at Mayfair, she said she sold a third of her handmade pieces in 2024.
It was her first time selling her pieces, so Thompson recalled feeling unsure going in.
"I was nervous because I wasn't sure that people would like my stuff, but I had such a great response at Mayfair and sold three-quarters of my items. It was amazing."
Thompson's niece, and vendor tent neighbor, also creates her dainty crochet pieces, at Sum Sum Designs.
Entertainment lineup
While Friday's wet weather soaked the grass, music listeners can sit on a blanket or lawn chair and stay awhile.
Local bands will perform a genre of tunes from rock to new wave.
This weekend's entertainment lineup is:
Saturday, May 24
- Noon — The Large Flowerheads
- 2 p.m. — Stacy Gabel
- 3:30 p.m. — Erin Kelly Band
- 5:30 p.m. — Melody Cruz
- 7 p.m. — Go Go Gadjet
Sunday, May 25
- Noon — Jimmy and the Parrots
- 2 p.m. — Kendal Conrad
- 3:30 p.m. — The Wonton Soups
- 5:30 p.m. — Tim Harakal
- 7 p.m. — Philadelphia Funk Authority
- 9 p.m. — Drone Show
Mayfair's history
Mayfair Festival of the Arts started in Allentown’s nearby Cedar Creek Park, its home for 28 years.
Admission was free for the first 19 years before the organizers began to charge admission in 2005.
The free festival was revived by Cedar Crest in 2018, drawing a total of 24,000.
Mayfair was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19. It returned in 2022.
For information on vendors and food options, visit the festival's website.
