Nearly 300 artists will descend on Rochester Sept. 7-9 to participate in the 47th Art & Apples Festival.
The state’s second-largest juried fine-arts festival will return to Rochester Municipal Park Friday through Sunday. Ranked the third-best in the state, the festival includes family activities, live entertainment and great food.
The festival is now ranked #27 out of 2,000 art festivals in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine and is the third-highest ranked festival in Michigan. The festival is a program of Paint Creek Center for the Arts. Since 1982, Paint Creek Center for the Arts has been dedicated year-round to promoting the arts and artistic excellence through a full range of cultural programs including exhibitions, studio art classes, outreach programs, community involvement projects, and the festival.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Sixth Annual Apple Pie and Dessert Contest – Bakers may bring their best apple pie or specialty apple dessert Saturday at 11:30 a.m. The sweets will be taste-tested by Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, WXYZ Anchor Dave Lewallen, Miss Oakland County Shelby Gardiner; Royal Park Hotel Pastry Chef Mark Slessor and Miss Oakland County Outstanding Teen Vanessa Chambe.
Art – Over 290 artists will showcase their fine art in a variety of mediums – textiles, painting, wood, glass, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, photography, drawing, painting, metalsmithing, fibers, digital art and more.
Food – Three food courts will feed hungry festival-goers. Fare this year includes Greek delights and barbeque goodness along with all of the other familiar favorites and of course, apple pies for sale Saturday and Sunday.
Entertainment– Performances are non-stop over the festival weekend including jazz, swing, acoustic and marching bands. Regional acts will include all three Rochester high school bands, the Chila Dogs, Deborah’s Stage Door, School of Rock, Flint Jubilee Choral, Oakland University Vitality Dance, The Marvins and more.
Kid stuff – Kids can enjoy a variety of free activities in the Kids Art Zone including make-and-take art projects with Paint Creek Center for the Arts and the Detroit Institute of Arts. There will also be a lifesize Art Maze, giant inflatables and a rock-climbing wall courtesy of Oakland County Parks and Recreation.
The park is located at Sixth and Pine behind Rochester city hall. Festival hours are Friday, 4–7:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 9– 4. Dogs are not allowed in the park during special events. There will be a $3 shuttle from Rochester High School Saturday and Sunday.
For more information visit www.ArtandApples.com.
