The Salt Fork Arts & Craft Festival brings many artists and their creative talents to Cambridge City Park. It offers entertainment throughout the day and dishes to savor while enjoying the festivities from August 12 to 14. Free entry.
Opening ceremonies will be held at the Gateway entrance on Edgeworth Avenue at noon Friday with music by the Caldwell High School Marching Band. Receptions will be made by several local elected officials before the inauguration.
Artists
Stop and see the creative work of many artists from across the United States. There will be a wide range of work ranging from paintings and jewelry to wood and glass carvings. Find old favorites like Michael Warren, who creates designs with a chainsaw, or visit Gene and Maggie Jorgensen for their jewelry. Don’t forget to check out the student art exhibit with over 250 pieces contributed by local students.
Visitors have the opportunity in the public choice tent to vote for the works of art they find most appealing. This is a special prize because artists want to know if their work is something that a lot of people appreciate.
Entertainment
Several popular groups will be back, such as The Loves Gospel Quartet, Cambridge City Band, CHS Alumni Jazz Band, John Glenn String Sounds, Northwest Territory and the Festival Chorus. New this year for kids will be Cincinnati’s Madcap Puppets featuring “Fantastic Fairy Tales.” Children can also enjoy Melody Stolle’s energetic narration.
A special feature this year will be a free workshop by the Kevin Prater Bluegrass Band. The band will perform in the performing arts tent at 11 a.m. and noon, followed by the workshop at 1:30 p.m. in the park with the various instruments they use – mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass and even song. Bring your instruments for some free pointers and join them for a mini-concert after the workshop.
Market
Foods made in Ohio are featured at the festival. Enjoy Candy’s gourmet fudge, Jose Madrid salsa, Misty Mountain Estate, Three Blooms Flower Farm, and Crackpot Coffee. Copley Bee Co, a family of beekeepers, returns to the festival with honey in various forms. Golden Boy Biscuits gives you the opportunity to bring home homemade dog biscuits or dog toys for your best friend.
Heritage Arts
Local artists will show off their talents as you watch. Watch clay pots being made, a blacksmith at work over an open fire, quilters and learn local history. Chuck and Shana Fair always attract attention as they make clay pottery and share how it is decorated. A special attraction this year will be Eli Wilson, who will demonstrate blacksmithing techniques over an open fire outside the tent. Step back in time watching these artists.
Also new will be Hilary Frambes, a chalk artist from Plain City. She likes to paint large scale chalk murals for festivals and will draw sidewalk pictures during the festival. Children will be encouraged to enter a contest and draw their own chalk pictures.