Bethel Park festival a hit with arts, music fans
The Bethel Park Arts & Music Festival suffered no sophomore slump. In its second season, the event topped all attendance and participation records from its inaugural year.
Despite sweltering heat, patrons of the arts, fans of all music genres and foodies flocked to the community center, schoolhouse arts and history center as well as booths and vendors set up along Park Avenue to shop, learn, dine and listen. Nearly 100 artists, more than a dozen food trucks and numerous musical acts performed and participated in the daylong festival held July 26.
“Fabulous,” said Andy Amrhein, who co-chaired the event with Christine McIntosh. “We had a little bit of rain in the morning before everything started but as you can see the shuttle buses are full and when you go into the buildings, you can’t move. It’s elbow to elbow. The food truck vendors are packed and the dining room tents are full.
“Everybody is happy.”
Amrhein noted the delight of the police force and fire departments as well as the Tri-Community South EMTs. “There’s nothing going on in the municipality (except the festival) and only two bandaids had to be given out,” he said. “Plus there is plenty of free water available to people who need it.”
The artists and musicians were most pleased. They did brisk business throughout the day, which ran from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“The artists are ecstatic and the musicians are loving it,” Amrhein said. “We have had twice as many musical acts this year over last year.”
There also was expansion. The event was open to teen artists and musicians, many of whom came from the local high schools. Additionally, the South Park Theatre’s youth division also set up a forum, performing in between musical acts on the main stage.
“The teens are the future of the industry,” Amrhein said. “So the sooner we get them involved and interested in the arts and music, the better.”
The event was a concerted effort by the recreation department, public works, public safety and the school district, along with individual local talent, such as Mia Taylor, who is the sound design director for the Pittsburgh Opera, and Lynn Streator, music director. The Bethel Park Community Foundation, Bethel Park Education Foundation as well as the public library were among the event’s primary sponsors.
“Everybody wanted to help make this the preeminent event of the summer for the community and a free event for the artists and musicians. It’s such an amazing event.”
Even the neighbors agreed.
While walking his dog, Quincy, on the morning of July 26 John Sigg noticed the tents and vending tables being assembled along Park Avenue. He learned from a neighbor about the event and decided to attend.
For Sigg, the music was the attraction. He thought Zac Starr’s Synchronized Band was “pretty good” even though he noted he was more of a rhythm-and-blues guy.
“Jazz is a close cousin,” he said quickly and added of Zac Starr, “It’s jazz with a guy who’s tap dancing, which is pretty creative.”
Proximity and appetite also coaxed Sigg off his backyard hammock. After listening to the music, he ventured over to the Cousins Maine Lobster truck for a New England roll.
“I was going to be hearing the music from my house all day so I thought I might as well come over here, listen to music and get something good to eat,” Sigg said.
Since she missed the festival last year, Donna Holliday thought it would be nice to peruse the art works and spend money or raffle tickets. In addition to winning an art prize, she eyed up the Lottery ticket basket.
“I’d love to win that, but apparently so does everybody else,” she said, giving a nod to the overflowing brown bag housing the stubs. “It’s always popular.”
According to Holliday, the event was the “perfect combination” for her artistic and culinary interests. She looked at several pieces from local artists and purchased a sculpture made of cut paper as well as printed items featuring Mr. Rogers and the Wizard of Oz. She then enjoyed a delicious dish of chicken gyros from Tom Diner’s.
“This is a great event,” Holliday proclaimed. “A big crowd and everybody’s very friendly. They have a lot of nice music. And the art,” she enthused.
Gary and Susan Maglin purchased prints from Keith Bastianini and his wife, Denise, inside the air-conditioned Bethel Park Schoolhouse Arts & History Center.
“I wouldn’t say that by any means that we are art aficionados,” Gary said. “We just appreciate art. We never know what’s going to catch our eye.”