ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown's West End will be filled with funky music and international food on Memorial Day weekend.
Mayfair Festival of the Arts will take place from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28 at Cedar Crest College, 100 College Drive.
On tap will be an eclectic group of bands and artists, food trucks and 50 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts.
- Mayfair Festival of the Arts will feature country and pop bands and vendors selling arts and crafts
- The festival will take place Friday, May 26 through Sunday, May 28 at Cedar Crest College
- Admission is free
"We're trying to appeal to a diverse audience. We have music from the 60s and today," Katy Kresge, associate vice president of campus operations at Cedar Crest College said.
"There also is a family-friendly section called Frankie's fun zone with rock climbing walls, inflatable slides and carnival games."
Double the fun
Now in its fifth year at the college, the festival is growing in size.
As part of its expansion, organizers added multiple stages, so that more diverse artists could join in on the fun.
Headlining Friday are Celtic group Rogue Diplomats and pop rockers Go Go Gadget on the mainstage and jam band Mark DeRose and the Dreadnoughts and sultry singer Renee Audrey at the bandstand section.
On Saturday, the 60s tribute band Large Flower Heads are joined by country rockers Reservoir Hill and Moonroof on the mainstage. Belly dancers Banat Al Sahra and classic rockers Castaway Band perform at the bandstand with Strange Neighbors and pop singer Stacy Gabel.
Closing out the festival on Sunday are folk rock band The Buzz, the Stephanie Johnson Band, the horn band Wonton Soups and party group UUU.
Also on Sunday: DMC Duo, Supersonic Godfathers, Kendal Conrad and the Billy Bauer Band perform on the bandstand.
For the complete line-up, click here.
Empanadas and wine
For folks feeling hungry in between concert sets: Food trucks will serve tacos, jerk chicken, shaved ice, waffle ice cream cones, fried dumplings, noodle bowls, gyros and topped potato chips.
Among the vendors: Pocono Potato Chip Company, Take a Taco, Merry Poppins Kettle Corn, Puertorrican Culture Preservation, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Caribbean Islands Cuisine, Ski's Hawaiian Shaved Ice, Greek Street, Humpty Dumplings and the Udder Bar.
"It's a like a hidden gem that people don't know about. The campus is a National Arbor [site] we have beautiful trees and beautiful scenery."Katy Kresge, associate vice president of campus operations, Cedar Crest College
Always free
The Mayfair Festival began as a small community event for musicians and artists in 1986 and was held at several of the city's public spaces including Cedar Beach Park.
In the mid-2000s, the festival moved to the Allentown Fairgrounds before dissolving in 2017.
Some locals frowned upon the hefty admission charge that was attached to the festival around that time, Kresge said.
When it found a new home at the school in spring of 2018, organizers at Cedar Crest knew they had to change their strategy.
"We really wanted to take it back to its roots by offering free music, great food and have it be open to the entire community," Kresge said.
Shop local
The event is a haven for shoppers looking to take home something handmade and locally sourced.
Situated in outdoor and indoor tent spaces, artisans will sell hand-poured soy candles and body scrubs; quilt blankets; women's bags; framed and matted prints; beaded, copper, clay and precious stone jewelry; reiki-charged ornaments; gourmet fudge; crystals; flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars.
Become an artist
Throughout the weekend, painters and photographers will teach workshops where attendees can take their work home.
On Friday, there will be a Beach Paint pour party hosted by Oneness Art Studio for $47.
Saturday's classes include a photo walk with Kim Marie that costs $20 and a modern art class starting at $52.
"This is a great opportunity to join me and other camera enthusiasts as we take photos and enjoy the scenery on campus at Cedar Crest College at Cedar Creek Park, and the Allentown Rose Garden," Marie wrote on the festival's website. "If you are a novice or hobbyist, as I once was, I’ll be happy to answer any questions or discuss any photography or camera related subjects while on the walk."
On Sunday, acrylic painters will teach a Love Blooms workshop for $37.
A 'hidden gem'
Attendees can bring a blanket, a lawn chair and Fido. (Leashed dogs are welcome.)
For those who haven't been on the campus yet, Kresge said they may be surprised to find some of nature's best.
"It's a like a hidden gem that people don't know about. The campus is a National Arbor [site] we have beautiful trees and beautiful scenery," she said. "If you are in the Valley Memorial Day weekend, we would love to have you stop by."
For info on the festival, go to cedarcrest.edu/mayfair
