Art, music, and more brought hundreds of people to downtown Bangor to shop and support local artists.
BANGOR, Maine — More than 100 vendors showcased their work at Downtown Bangor Partnership’s annual Sidewalk Art Festival on Saturday.
Art, music, and more brought hundreds of people to downtown Bangor to shop and support local artists.
The event featured paintings, jewelry, and crafted goods for sale, as well as interactive children’s activities, live music performances, and even chainsaw sculpting.
The Sidewalk Art Festival provides an opportunity for seasoned and up-and-coming artists alike to present their work.
“I absolutely love the community here and people have been so positive, and I’ve done really well today so far,” Jenna McGrath, who sold her art at the event, said.
McGrath and Zack LaFontaine are students at the University of Maine who got the opportunity to sell their art with help from the UMaine McGillicuddy Humanities Center.
“It really helps us out, and it’s great to get out there and see people’s critique on your art,” LaFontaine said.
For LaFontaine, being at the festival is a great way to connect with people and get helpful feedback on his work — and for attendees to help independent artists like himself.
“It’s vital for the community, for expression,” he said. “Just support people in your community, local artists need it.”
What started with around 35 vendors in 2019 has grown to over 120 in 2024, crowding Central and Harlow Streets.
“I mean, they’re kind of the backbone of our economy,” Betsy Lundy, executive director of the Downtown Bangor Partnership, said.
Lundy said shopping locally benefits small sellers and boosts the economy of Bangor as a whole.
“When you spend your money locally with a small business, more of that money stays circulating in your local economy,” she said.
Some vendors sold goods to benefit local organizations.
Adult and Teen Challenge Maine, a long-term addiction treatment center in Winthrop, sold cutting boards, crafted by men in recovery.
“The guys in the program learn the vocational skill of carpentry, so we make all these cutting boards. So we come out here and we sell those as a way to provide for the guys in the program,” Nathan Papavlo, the End Addiction team coordinator for the nonprofit said.
Papavlo has experienced the benefits of the program first-hand.
“Personally, it saved my life, I’ve been clean two-and-a-half years now from drugs and alcohol,” he said.
Papavlo said his team had a great response from people at the festival who resonated with experiences like his.
“People always want to support and help out, because everyone knows someone who’s struggling,” he said.
