Sixth annual University Park Arts Fair & Food Fest is Aug. 13 at Grace Park

Great art, great food and great music converge at the sixth annual University Park Arts Fair & Food Fest at Grace Park on Saturday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. at the historic Grace Park on the corner of Perkins and Prospect streets in University Park. Admission is free and plenty of free parking will be available.

The festival offers visitors an opportunity to visit and appreciate the beauty of Akron's oldest park while enjoying music and other family-friendly entertainment, fine art and fine crafts from more that 100 local and regional artists, innovative food by Akron locals and engaging exhibitors from the University Park community.

Entertainment for everyone

Music-lovers can enjoy gypsy jazz courtesy of Moustache Yourself, folksy pop and barn-burning boot stompers from Low Watt Radio, island sounds from the UA Steel Drum Band, a University Park neighborhood favorite in the Open Door Gospel Choir and jazz standards by Four Corners Jazz Quartet. Children will enjoy chalk art demonstrations and a children's chalk drawing area, Futsal demonstrations and pickup games, a lantern-making workshop, a stilt walker, origami entertainment, balloon art and more.

Visitors can choose from seven different local food vendors, including Mick & Shirley’s Catering and Cafe (soul food), Ms. Julie’s Kitchen (locally sourced vegan), Taste of Bangkok, EuroGyro, Urban Eats, Arnolds Candies (retro treats) and the Stew Pot Kitchen.

Community exhibitors will include the Akron Art Museum, Asian Services in Action, Inc., Bod-E-Scape, Downtown Akron Partnership, Funky Hippy Vintage Clothing, Gamesnake, Light-UP! Lantern Festival in University Park, LINKS Community & Family Services, Summit Cycling Center Bicycle Co-op, The NEOhaus Institute, University Park Business Association and University Park YMCA. Exhibitors will offer many activities, demonstrations and giveaways.

For a complete program, list of artists and more information visit: www.universityparkartsfair.org, e-mail info@universityparkartsfair.org or call 330-777-2070.

University Park Arts Fair & Food Fest at Grace Park is presented by University Park Alliance with support from the Akron Community Foundation, city of Akron, Akron Beacon Journal and Ohio.com, Summa Health System and others.

About University Park Alliance

University Park Alliance a nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to the revitalization of University Park, the 50-block urban neighborhood surrounding The University of Akron. UPA's comprehensive urban reinvestment strategy is rooted in the importance of "placemaking," a holistic approach to community revitalization that plans and designs communities based on the needs of people. UPA's efforts are focused on four programmatic areas: real estate development, economic development, social and human capital development, and community/civic engagement development.

UPA receives major funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and is comprised of partners including The University of Akron, city of Akron, Summa Health System, Akron Beacon Journal, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Health System, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Public Schools, and the University Park residential and business community.

Media contacts: Beth Houseman, 330-777-2072 or bhouseman@upark.com, or Laura Massie,330-972-6476 or massie1@.uakron.edu.