ALLENTOWN
Art Festival wraps up with great weather and crowds
A beautiful day proved the draw as thousands flocked to Sunday’s wrap-up of the 52nd annual Allentown Art Festival.
Festivalgoers were shoulder to shoulder along Delaware Avenue, where about 450 artists displayed and sold all manners and styles of artwork.
“It’s not so hot that you die, so the weather is just wonderful,” said Lorna Berlin, a Williamsville painter. “I think there are just a lot of people out there walking around and enjoying themselves. And they should. That’s the Allentown Art Festival, really.”
Mary Myszkiewicz, president of the Allentown Village Society, said she heard artists selling more than ever; one artist who made only $500 at last year’s festival pulled in $2,100 by Sunday afternoon.
“Maybe it’s true that people aren’t taking those expensive vacations in faraway places anymore,” she said. “Sounds to me like more and more people are staying home and buying something for the house, trying to spend that money on something that will last longer. That’s what is working in the artists’ favor.”
Myszkiewicz said this year’s two-day event was similar in size — crowd-and vendor-wise — as recent successful years.
The festival attracted people from all walks, from the art teacher checking out techniques to newlyweds looking to decorate their house.
Children enjoyed the carnival atmosphere and ample supply of vendors selling everything from balloons to fried dough.
Some came to watch people. Clarence resident Mike Morana and Niagara Falls resident Larry Briggs plead guilty to that pastime.
The longtime friends enjoyed each other’s company, light conversation and a cold beer as they watched the crowd just north of Allen Street, waiting for their wives, who were shopping.
“Hey, it’s a perfect day for this, huh?” Morana said to Briggs.
“It surely is,” Briggs replied. “Can’t get much better than a cold beer and watching all of the weirdos walking up and down the way, seeing what they’ve picked up.”
With temperatures as high as 77 degrees, refreshments were a must. Hawaiian shaved ice — a childrens’ favorite — was provided by a first-year vendor who offered multiple flavors, as well.
Eight-year-old Johnny Chugh of East Aurora favored the pineapple and orange contained in a bowl about the size of his face.
“It’s so big,” Johnny said. “It’s like the size of a rock—no, a giant rock. I don’t like to eat rocks, but this one I like.”
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