630 Janet Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17601-4541
717/735-8883 • info@LongsPark.org

For further information, please contact
Sue Savage by cell at (717) 413-0560 or
via email at SusanESavage5@gmail.com.
or access press release, calendar listing
and photos online at www.LongsPark.org.

Press Information for Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival

Download this Release (1100_Fest_Season_Release.pdf) 104 K
Click here to access Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival Photos and Captions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nearly 1,000 Artists Apply to Exhibit in Top-Rated Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival
Labor Day Weekend.

LANCASTER, PA -- Almost 1,000 artists from across the country vied to a part of the 33rd annual Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival Labor Day weekend. From this jurying process 200 of the best of the best were invited to exhibit. Recognized by Art Fair SourceBook, the leading national rating organization, as one of America’s top 10 fine art and craft show in the country, the Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival will be held rain or shine Friday, September 2 through Monday, September 5, 2011 from 10 am to 5 pm.

Applications were received from 44 states and 4 foreign countries. From this large pool of viable candidates, a panel of eight national jurors chose the best in each arts category. A quarter of the 2011 exhibitors will be making their first appearances at the Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival.

This year’s exhibitors will bring to Lancaster an array of stunning jewelry, trendsetting apparel and leather, magnificent artwork and photography and exceptionally crafted glass, ceramics and sculpture. Festival guests will find something for almost every taste and pocketbook, ranging from affordable gift-giving to heirloom investments.

The festival’s fine art and crafts will be complemented by four days of soothing music and outdoor bistro dining. Featured in the Susquehanna Style Bistro at Long’s Park will be free musical performances by area musicians and delicious fare from some of the region’s finest restaurants and caterers. The appetizing selection of salads, pastas, sandwiches, seafood and desserts will be complemented by a selection of fine wines and Yuengling craft beers.

Admission to the show opens doors to other inspiring experiences. A part of the four-day show will be opportunities throughout the weekend to see several exhibitors at their creative work. Exhibitors are always eager and open to talking to guests about their inspiration and creative process.

In addition, different, special presentations at 2 pm each day will showcase a container gardening expert and an internationally acclaimed floral decorator, as well as offer an artisan bread experience and the photographer whose books captured Lancaster County landmarks. More details on these special events will be available online at www.LongsPark.org/ArtInfo.html.

The Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival will cater to aspiring young artists, too. The Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, The High Companies, Homestead Village and Worley & Obetz are cosponsoring a special “make and take” Creative Kid’s Corner. Here children can unleash their “inner artist” and create personal works of art. Long’s Park treats exhibitors and guests to a most relaxing, accessible setting. Located just off the Route 30 bypass on the northwest edge of historic Lancaster City, Long’s Park is a beautiful, 80-acre city park, canopied with stately elms and lined with shaded walkways circling a picturesque, 2-acre lake.

Volunteering to provide vision to the 2011 Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival is Festival director will Lancaster County business executive, Diane M. Moore. Moore co-owns Lancaster Honda with her husband David.

Approximately 20,000 guests from across the Mid-Atlantic region are expected to attend the 2011 Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival. The event has become a Labor Day weekend tradition since its founding in 1979 to help underwrite the free, 13-week Long’s Park Summer Music Series. The Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival is produced and sponsored annually by the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation. This year’s summer entertainers included The Grascals, Bluegrass Music Awards’ 2011 instrumental group of the year; W. C. Handy bluesman Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters; Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, winners of Offbeat Magazine’s best zydeco album of 2009 and Grammy winners of the best Latin jazz album of 2008,
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

Discounted tickets to the Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival may be purchased online through August 29, 2011, at www.LongsPark.org. One-day passes are $8 apiece, multi-day passes $10 each. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets are also available onsite at the festival for $10 (one-day) and $12 (multi-day).

Free parking is provided within the park, including special areas for guests who are physically challenged. Pets are not welcome inside the fenced show area.

Long’s Park is located at 1441 Harrisburg Pike in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, off Route 30 at the Harrisburg Pike/Park City Center exit.

- 30 -

August 12, 2011