DuPage Foundation is proud to sponsor DuPage County’s inaugural Community Arts Festival, a one-day celebration of the vibrant local arts community in DuPage. The festival will be held at the DuPage County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 28, from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Held on the North grounds, local artists will showcase their latest works, all available for purchase. Funds raised through the festival will be used to support future arts endeavors.
“DuPage County is filled with an incredible number of talented artists and notable arts organizations, and it will be thrilling to see them all convene at one location where they can share their work more widely with the public,” said Debbie Venezia, director of Arts DuPage, a DuPage Foundation initiative. “This festival will help raise the visibility of the arts in the community and generate cultural, economic, and social benefits for our region.”
Last year, DuPage County Board Member Lynn LaPlante created an Ad Hoc Fine Arts Committee to design the parameters of the festival aimed at bringing the community together to support local artists. The committee, comprised of a bipartisan group of board members and community organizations, including DuPage Foundation, recruited artists, entertainers and vendors to build the event into a one-day celebration of arts and culture in DuPage. LaPlante is a classically trained violinist and violist and understands the importance of the arts for economic prosperity.
“The Community Arts Festival represents the launch of a new arts initiative for DuPage County,” said LaPlante, chairwoman of DuPage County’s Ad Hoc Fine Arts Committee. “By developing this initiative and the festival, we are launching the arts in DuPage to a whole new level that could drive significant economic development for our County. This brand new event has huge potential to grow, and launch our long-range plans as well. We are starting out with wonderful support from several key partnerships that we have established between public and private sectors. I believe it is these very important partnerships that will propel our vision forward.”
With a variety of performances across three stages, food trucks and a beer tent, the festival offers something for the whole family.
“Whether you are an arts aficionado or just eager to enjoy some live entertainment, I encourage everyone to attend this event and support our local artists,” said Venezia. “It’s been nearly two years since many of us felt comfortable attending a large event, and the festival is the perfect opportunity to get together and reconnect with friends or family.”
Chicago favorite Ides of March will headline the musical acts with a set at 9 p.m. Other groups performing include: Orbert Davis Quintet, Muriel Anderson, Ralph Covert and Ralph’s World, Son Monarcas, DuPage Symphony Ensembles, Chicago Jazz Academy, Vital Signs, Road Show Inc. Show Choir, Elmhurst Symphony Chamber groups, and more. Topping off the entertainment excitement is a visual performance by artist Lewis Achenbach.
Presale tickets are currently available and cost $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 3 to 12, and are free for children under the age of 3. A family pass will be available for $50. Tickets bought at the gate will cost $25 for adults, $12 for children ages 3 to 12, and are free for children under the age of 3. A family pass bought at the gate will cost $60. The full entertainment lineup and ticket information are listed on the DuPage County Fair Association website at dupagecountyfair.org.
