Willoughby ArtsFest remains a premier event in city - The News-Herald
Event scheduled for July 19
More than 160 juried artists are participating in this year’s Willoughby ArtsFest, making it the largest ArtsFest to date.
The 34th ArtsFest is slated for July 19 in Downtown Willoughby from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Of the 160 artists who will be showcasing their talents, 50 are new.
“Willoughby is pleased to welcome the 34th annual ArtsFest to Downtown Willoughby,” said Mayor Robert Fiala. “This is one of our premier events and our restaurants, bars and merchants are looking forward to hosting all art lovers at this family friendly event.”
Parking for the event is free. Laketran will be providing a shuttle that will depart from Willoughby South High School, dropping visitors off on Second Street and Clark Avenue. The shuttle will run every 15 to 20 minutes.
Complimentary parking at Todd Field and the Willoughby Municipal Courthouse will also be provided.
The ArtsFest this year is expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors and will feature vendors, as well as 20 food options including Cousins Maine Lobster and The Grateful Dead food trucks.
Additionally, as part of the ArtsFest, spectators will be able to enjoy a full day of music, featuring The Cleveland Breakfast Club from noon to 2 p.m. at The Kilbourne Family Entertainment Gazebo in Wes Point Park.
The free event will also include the Lakeshore Family Dental Kid’s Studio, which will feature arts and crafts in partnership with the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library and the Willoughby Arts Collaborative. The Kid’s Studio will have staff to assist kids in designing their own butterfly masterpieces.
For the adults, bourbon and vodka samples will be available from Lake Erie Distillery.
The Component Repair Technologies Auction Tent will feature original works donated by the artists. Tickets, along with 50-50 raffle tickets, will start at $5 and 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce Educational and Development Scholarship Fund.
Artists will be judged during the event in the following categories:
Fiber and leather; jewelry and metalworks; photography and digital art; painting, drawing, printmaking; and sculpture, ceramics, glass, wood.
Winners will receive prizes from $100 to $500.
Three of the 2024 ArtsFest winners are returning this year to showcase their award-winning works.
“The Willoughby ArtsFest brings the community together to showcase the fine arts, attracting tourists and visitors to historic Downtown Willoughby, and Lake County,” said Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dana Wolfe. “We are grateful that we have been able to continue this tradition with the support of the various organizations, sponsors, volunteers and artists to make this one of the most anticipated events of the summer.”
The following is the entertainment schedule at the Wes Point Park gazebo:
10 a.m. — Beauty and the Beat Tribute Band to the Go-Go’s.
Noon to 2 p.m. — The Cleveland Breakfast Club.
3 p.m. — Dance lessons and performance by Fred Astaire Dance Studio.
4 p.m. — Pfabe’s Music Academy.
4:30 p.m. — Students from the Willoughby-Eastlake School Jazz Band.
For more information, call 440-942-1632 or visit willoughbyartsfest.com.
Originally Published: July 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT