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For over forty years, the Lakewood Arts Festival has brought local and national artists to the streets of Lakewood, Ohio the first weekend in August.
The Lakewood Downtown Arts Festival, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that administers the show with the help of a team of hard-working volunteers and the cooperation of the city of Lakewood, Ohio. The festival supports itself with money raised by entry fees, donations from community merchants, sponsorship funds and other efforts.
Besides supporting the festival, money earned or donated goes towards a scholarship for a local high school graduate, a Lakewood resident, pursuing a degree in fine arts, and toward grants awarded to local organizations presenting art programs for children and seniors in Lakewood. This year grants were awarded to Lakewood High School Barnstormers and the Photography Club, H2O (Help to Others) benefitting Lakewood middle-school students), Lakewood Catholic Academy arts programs, The Barton Center Senior arts activities, and The Beck Center for the Arts programs.
On average, one hundred and sixty-five artists are selected to exhibit. Awards, funded through the help of local businesses and community organizations, are presented to artists in categories of Best of Show, Second, Third Place, Best Creative Presentation and Best New Artist.
Every year a line-up of fine musical entertainment is scheduled throughout the day. A list of times for entertainment is available at the Information Booth and on the Entertainment page. A limited edition lithograph is available for a donation at the information booth as well. Every year they have a fresh new design done by a local artist. The sale of these prints provides funds to support our scholarship fund.