JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Bottle Works Arts on Third Avenue was filled inside and out Saturday with tables and displays full of work from regional creatives during the eighth annual Third Avenue Folk & Arts Fest.
“What I like that’s different about this one is there are artists making their art,” Johnstown resident Jamie Knipple said.
She attended the event with her family and noted that they enjoy patronizing local events such as the festival.
The Knipple family has attended other events in Cambria City and at Bottle Works in the past, but Saturday was their first time at the folk and arts gathering.
Knipple said she appreciated the variety of vendors, live music and local art on display.
Her daughter, 8-year-old Mara, added to the creative display with a smiling sun, waterfall and flowers – individual squares were blocked off on Third Avenue with boxes of chalk available for anyone to use.
Mara Knipple said she loves drawing and it “felt great” to share her artistic abilities with the festival-goers.
Visitors were slow to arrive to the event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and continues noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, but soon enough, community members were perusing art inside the buildings, chatting with vendors outside and taking seats under the newly opened Pop Pavilion to listen to music.
Live performances are taking place at the pavilion throughout the two-day festival.
“It’s a really nice event,” Catherine Burke said.
The Pitcairn resident and co-owner of hi Hemp Infused Crafts had a booth at the festival.
She said the setup was beautiful and the company appreciates attending events in Johnstown.
Matthew Lamb, Bottle Works executive director, said the folk and arts festival is his favorite happening of the year because of all the local art exhibits.
All the work that leads up to the annual gathering is worth it because of the promotion local artists get, Lamb said.
Eric Matava and Nichole Rensko were impressed by the displays, variety and overall setup of the event.
“It’s a great opportunity to check out some local artists,” Matava said.
The couple brought their 2-year-old son with them and planned to get a family caricature from Duane Webb before getting something to eat from local food trucks and restaurants.
Rensko said she’s always interested in local art and exploring what interesting events Bottle Works is hosting, which is why they ventured from Seward to attend Saturday.
Knipple shared a similar reason, stating she always keeps an eye on what the arts center has going on because her family adores all that’s available in the Johnstown area.
Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5054. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
