COLUMBUS – For an event that’s marking its 55th year, the Columbus Arts Festival is celebrating with a lot of firsts.
The 55th Annual Columbus Arts Festival: Fri. June 10 and Sat., June 11, 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sun., June 12, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Bicentennial Park and Genoa Park (see map)
This year’s festival will be the first to incorporate the new Scioto Greenways, promoting use of new bike paths and providing access to on-site secure bike parking, said Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, which produces the event.
For the first time, COSI will open its riverfront doors for public access. Festival-goers can walk directly from the festival into the science center from the east side of the building to purchase admission to exhibition spaces and special programming.
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has coordinated its June Riverfest event to coincide with the festival and will offer free canoeing and kayaking on Saturday from noon to 4:00 p.m.
The festival will include more than 300 exhibiting artists from across the country and the world, more than 160 performances — from jazz and classical music to slam poetry and aerial dance — on seven stages, food, hands-on activities and arts demonstrations and more.