This post documents my experience on June 25, 2011.
All art festivals are NOT the same (thank God), but sometimes it tends to feel that way. After going to many of them and seeing the same jewelry, pottery, and flattened Vodka bottle cheese plates, it can be difficult to see unique qualities about each.
That’s why I was happy to attend the Waterloo Arts Fest on Collinwood‘s Waterloo Road.
In a neighborhood with places like…
…the marvelous Beachland Ballroom…
…real music stores (Music/Blue)…
…art galleries…
…and various other interesting additions (the Kaboom mural is at the site of bombing intended to kill Danny Greene)…
…I was ready to be surprised by what Waterloo had to offer.
And, within minutes of arriving, that surprise did come…
…in the form of this giant creature who waited for me to turn around and find it right before my eyes.
Fortunately, my shock subsided as I came to a booth…
…that offered free CD’s (John Carroll University’s WJCU!)…
…and I felt good enough to enjoy the festival again.
Music was, in fact, a big part of the arts festival…
…through band performances…
…belly dancing…
…culture performances…
… and even Yo-Yo tricks (with a guest ball of string).
Wherever you went along the festival grounds, there was some form of entertainment…
…even if it meant playing in the sand with friends.
Between all the dancing and sand castles, there was a good deal of food….
…whether from businesses established on Waterloo…
…or from those who drove in for the event.
I decided to get myself a gulf shrimp po’ boy from Zydeco Bistro…
…and a free cookie from the Collinwood Observer…
…before feeling recharged to look at the art!
Here, the merchandise reflected that Cleveland charm…
…through rock…
…artistic signs…
…shirts…
…jewelry…
…and even magnets.
In fact, before leaving, I found a booth where I was able to make a magnet of my own….
…and put it on the board to happily display…
…just how appreciative I was of the experience.