One of Delaware’s unofficial autumn kick-offs takes place in Wilmington this weekend. The Brandywine Festival of the Arts is a First State tradition spanning over half a century.
Approximately 250 artists will be exhibiting in a wide range of styles and mediums.
The festival will also feature nationally recognized artist Thomas Burke. The Wilmingtonian’s custom-made "birdhomes," can be found all across Delaware's largest city.
Event organizer Barry Schlecker says the festival will also offer a food court and a range of activities.
“We have original music performers, we have face painting for the children, we have activities that will keep children and families happy all day; dad can buy beers and wines and there are some great restaurants.”
The Brandywine Festival of the Arts has taken place annually on the weekend after Labor Day for 50 years with just one exception.
Financial and managerial problems led to the perennial event’s cancellation in 2009.
Schlecker took over the event six years ago and revamped it to make it a juried art show and added live music, food, and children’s activities.
But the artists remain the stars of the event and the promoter says a wide variety of them will be on hand.
“We have painters, crafters, meaning jewelers, wood makers, fabrics, furniture makers; almost anything you can think of that is handmade and one-of-a-kind, from not only this area but from all over the country,” he said.
The Brandywine Festival of the Arts is held along the banks of Wilmington's Brandywine River, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10 am.
Parking will be available at Incyte (the former Wanamaker's department store) at 1801 Augustine Cutoff and Baynard Stadium. Free shuttle buses will run to the festival entrance at Brandywine Park.
This piece is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.