Madison Historical Society’s Festival of the Arts Coming to the Green
Press Release from the Madison Historical Society
The Madison Historical Society will present its second annual Summer Festival of Arts and Antiques on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For 50 years, the MHS hosted an antiques fair on the Green, and in 2022 the event was reimagined as a festival with live music, an art sale, fair food, and summertime games for children of all ages.
This end-of-summer celebration of art, antiques, and family fun will continue to feature vendors of fine antiques and collectibles from across the region. Exhibitors will sell ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry, kitchenware, linens, memorabilia, pottery, toys, vintage accessories, and more.
Additionally, an art exhibition and craft sale will be mounted by the Madison Art Society and local artisans. The showcase of original artworks will feature a variety of media, including oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, drawings, and sculpture.
The craft sale will feature original creations by modern makers who will display their works in numerous mediums, including clay, leather, metal, jewelry, objects for the home, clothing, printmaking, foods, and soap.
Live demonstrations by traditional crafters will include the production of hand-carved spoons, lathe-turned bowls, and bookbinding. Native American crafters will exhibit a variety of items used or worn by First Peoples in the 18th century; among these items will be knives, wampum, necklaces, spoons, baskets, and hand-carved trenchers. Crafters will sell their wares and also offer instruction on these preindustrial trades.
No summer festival would be complete without family-friendly activities. For children and the young at heart, the Madison Historical Society will offer Colonial games, a dunk tank, life-size Jenga and Connect Four games, face painting, henna tattoos, and hands-on craft sessions. Participants can compete for prizes in three-legged races, balloon tosses, and egg-and-spoon races, held hourly.
The expanded offerings of the 2023 MHS Summer Festival include something for everyone. Contact the MHS office at 203-245-4567 if you wish to participate as a vendor, artisan, or crafter. Tickets are $6 at the gate, and free to MHS members and children under 12. Visit www.madisonhistory.org for more information.