Westport Fine Arts Festival returns to downtown Westport this weekend

The 46th Westport Fine Arts Festival returns to downtown Westport this Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  The Fine Arts Festival is a free event for the enjoyment of residents and visitors highlighting top tier artists, the finest local restaurants, live music, and creative art activities to inspire the whole family. 

This highly anticipated summer weekend event brings the best of the visual and culinary arts to the streets of downtown Westport and showcases expressions of the incredible local talent in arts, food, and music from Westport and the surrounding area. 

Over 170 top award-winning artists will exhibit along Main Street, Elm Street, and Church Lane in a wide range of categories. Artists come from as far as Israel to exhibit alongside solo artists from the Westport area and 23 different states in their pop-up galleries.  Also representing the impressive pool of local talent is the Artist Collective of Westport providing hands-on experience and demonstrations both in the kids' area and an interactive art tent for all ages on Taylor Place.

 After a walk around the festival circuit, guests can visit the shaded food court next to Vineyard Vines, where they will find inspired menus from two outstanding favorites in Westport cuisine. 

The Fine Arts Festival is thrilled to welcome back Bill Taibe of Kawa Ni and new addition Matt Storch of Match Burger Lobster. The two nationally recognized chefs will offer food options that cater to both sophisticated palettes, as well as kid-friendly favorites. Expect to see popular items from Kawa Ni including Kani crab salad, tofu pockets, and a spicy tuna bowl. Match Burger Lobster will treat guests to their signature lobster rolls and mini-burgers, along with fresh Copps Island Oysters provided by Norm Bloom & Son. Fleisher's hot dogs are also on the menu for an easy grab and go meal. 

Milkcraft fresh ice cream will make a special appearance on Church Lane this year. Ice cream lovers line the streets for a taste of this small batch creamery's artisanal flavors and signature Bubblecones. 

The festival bars are available throughout the grounds, serving refreshing cocktails, beer from Two Roads and Nod Hill breweries, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.  The wine list was curated by the new downtown liquor store, The Grapevine, in another nod to the commitment of the festival and the Westport Downtown Merchants Association to support local business and talent. 

Brooks Plaza is once again home to the ever-popular Kids Create area, where little artists can enjoy child-friendly activities presented by the Artist Collective of Westport and Jerry's Artarama. Hatter and Tatter return to delight children with their range of face painting possibilities.

Westport native Emma Charles joins local acts Amber Anchor, Kris, Highline Vocal Jazz, The Connolly Ceili Band, and Henry Jones for the United Bank Live Music Series, rounding out an ideal summer weekend enjoying the arts in this scenic coastal town.