The annual Port Hope Arts Festival is back on Saturday, August 10, 2024, featuring an exciting array of 10-minute plays, live music, an outdoor vendor market, wagon rides, hands-on activities, and a community gathering in Memorial Park.
We are pleased to be able to expand the 10 Minute Play Series, now featuring 12 different plays across 6 locations throughout the day. This exciting growth has been made possible through the generous support of the Ontario Arts Presenters Projects Grant from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Ontario government. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for this invaluable funding, which allows us to bring even more dynamic and diverse theatrical experiences to our community. The plays range from comedies to thought-provoking dramas. This year, there will also be a selection of live readings inside Furby House Books to offer even more engaging content.
“Let's come together to celebrate the creativity and talent that makes Port Hope so unique,” notes Mayor Olena Hankivsky. “It's a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in interactive activities and incredible live performances that showcase our rich and vibrant community.”
Participants can enjoy a variety of activities for kids, art displays, live music, and other fun surprises from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year, there will also be an outdoor movie screening at the Little Station House in Lent Lane, showing the movie Carmen. Movie writer and director, Valerie Buhagier, will be onsite to offer a few words prior to the start of the film. Bring a chair, blanket and some movie snacks and settle in for a unique experience.
Art Around Town returns this year too, showcasing the work of 30 local artists in various shop windows, including a collection at Ganaraska Art and Framing. Led by Herb Jung, this initiative brings together artists and merchants to transform downtown Port Hope into a vast outdoor gallery. The artwork will be on display from August 1 to August 14.
Our amazing community groups are at the heart of the Arts Festival experience and will pop-up in Memorial Park to present hands-on activities, and a wide assortment of information to the visiting public. Stroll through the Park to connect with over 15 local organizations who are running innovative initiatives, events, programs, and productions that make Port Hope the vibrant community it is; it is a great chance to meet new people from Port Hope's creative community and try your hand at something new.
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce with be hosting their 150th birthday party at 58 Queen Street from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be traditional birthday party offerings from cupcakes and character meet-and-greets to dunk tanks and pinatas. Stop by and celebrate this major milestone with them.
Shopping is another favourite component of the Port Hope Arts Festival, both in the outdoor vendor market and throughout the downtown in our unique shops. Over 40 visiting artists will pop up beside the Port Hope Farmers’ Market on the back lawn of Town Hall and a portion of Augusta Street to present items ranging from the rare and curious, to the practical and pretty. Downtown Port Hope is open for business and all sidewalks are open during the Walton Street Reconstruction Project. A reminder that transit within town is also free during the construction.
SONG, Capitol Theatre and the HBIA are enhancing the sights and sounds of Arts Festival this year. SONG is hosting a Youth Coffee House and Youth Open Mic on the bandshell - providing a platform for young performers and offering an opportunity for the public to participate in an open mic session. The HBIA will feature special guest performances at designated busker pads, contributing to a dynamic festival atmosphere. Additionally, the Capitol Theatre will present two performances of "Gabs Sings Babs" in the Sculthorpe Theatre on August 10.
All details, including the schedule for the 10-Minute Play Series and Art Around Town display locations are posted online at porthope.ca/arts-festival.
Background
Arts Month is an organic celebration of the arts, and Port Hope’s creative community. It’s an open invitation to get creative, curious and to celebrate. Residents, organizations, and businesses are empowered to help educate, inspire, and connect to a variety of artistic mediums. Participation could be private or more public, and could look like attending a workshop, promoting artfully made merchandise, or sharing your own masterpiece or work-in-progress with others. Visit our Event Calendar for more Arts Month activities at porthope.ca/calendar.
2024-07-31
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