Summerfest brings together artists for summer fun, arts in Logan
July 7th, 2011 Posted in Arts and LifeStory & Photos by Cassidee J. Cline
LOGAN—Hundreds of cars filled parking lots and lined streets as people crowded the Tabernacle Square for the 2011 Summerfest Arts Faire. The three-day event featured local and regional artists, a variety of food vendors, music, and plenty of activities for children.
Michelle Oye, originally from Taiwan, had a booth displaying pictures and jewelry made from pressed flowers.
“I am an artist,” she said, “I go across American to do art shows, [Summerfest] is one of my stops.”
Oye said her background in art had combined to create her display. “I studied art, Japanese flower arrangements, water coloring and photography,” she said.
Each framed picture and piece of jewelry, she said, is made entirely out of flowers that she picked, dried, re-dyed and carefully arranged to make colorful and unique designs.
Though pictures are beautiful, they were not the only things being displayed.
Barbara Wesley and Barbara Busche also displayed their talents with fused glass. Their booth was brightly arranged with necklaces, beads, earrings and bracelets designed with pieces of glass melded together.
Wesley said Busche and her have been friends for a long time. After retiring, they decided to do stained glass.
“Once we found we could meld it,” Wesley said, “we both got kilns and started experimenting and here we are.”
Hundreds of people roamed around the Tabernacle, looking into the different art booths, admiring paintings and purchasing pieces of pottery or jewelry as featured musicians like Sassafrass and Libbie Linton entertained the crowds. Vendors offered a variety of food including Chinese, German, and American to hungry onlookers.
Jeanne DeLay from Arizona said she has been coming in the summer to Logan for the past three years. She said her and a friend were interested in the Utah State Universities summer citizens program.
“Those who live down in the hot country,” DeLay said, “escape for the summer and come up here to live in student housing.” The program allows people like DeLay to live in Logan for the summer and experience events like Summerfest.
“Summerfest is quite an experience,” DeLay said, “there are so many artists and exhibiters here that it really makes it a fun place to visit.”
Kristin Fellows is a resident of Logan and said she has been coming to Summerfest with her children every year for the past ten years. She said it was great to see all the booths and there was always plenty to do for her and for her kids.
Face painting, balloon animals and an art yard were more than enough to keep children entertained and the parents happy.
“The kids art yard is great cause my other kids can go in the art yard while we walk around and look at the booths.” Fellows said.
The annual Summerfest Art Faire had a lot to offer for adults and kids. It gave artists a chance to show their talents and it gave families time to bond or find unique gifts.
“I love Summerfest,” Fellows said.
Many people were already looking forward to the upcoming year as booths were being taken down Saturday night.
“I’ll probably come back next year,” DeLay said.
Tags: Arts, Summerfest
One Response to “Summerfest brings together artists for summer fun, arts in Logan”
By Dan Smith on Jul 18, 2011
I didn’t get a chance to make it to Summerfest. This story paints a great picture of what the atmosphere must have been like. Thank you for providing a means of vicariously attending the event.