COLUMBUS – About 450,000 people are expected to crowd the downtown riverfront for the Columbus Arts Festival this weekend, unofficially opening the summer season.
Columbus Arts Festival presented by American Electric Power – June 8-10, 2018 Hours: Friday 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (On Friday and Saturday artist booths close at 9 p.m.) For more information, call 614-221-8625
The event features fine arts and crafts from more than 270 juried local and national artists, six stages, a kids’ area and a beer garden.
Art lovers can use the festival’s new smartphone app to find a favorite artist, discover hands-on activities, check performance schedules or just navigate the grounds. A square foldable map also offers visitors a pocket-size overview of highlights, including stage headliners.
The festival’s Beer Garden, on Washington Boulevard between Town and Rich Streets, features a Local Craft Beer Garden presented by Blue Moon and featuring local craft brews from BrewDog, Columbus Brewing Company, Four String Brewing Company and Seventh Son Brewing.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is Friday’s musical headliner at 9 p.m. and Saturday’s lineup features G. Love & Special Sauce.
The Hands-On Activities Village has moved to the west side of COSI and includes a playground and shaded picnic tables for families.
Parking is available on surface lots both east and west of the river (see map), at metered spaces on surrounding city streets and in garages throughout the downtown area, including the Columbus Commons garage, River South at Front and Rich and the LeVeque Tower Garage at Broad and Front. Guests can reserve parking spots.
COTA has stops along High and Front streets throughout downtown. Local fare: $2, Day pass: $4.50. The CBUS free circulator service travels from the Brewery District, through downtown, to the Short North Arts District and back again.
For cyclists, the festival has provided a secure parking corral on the east side of the river on Civic Center Drive at Town Street.
The festival has partnered with Hopper Carts, an on-demand shuttle service that offers safe, free transportation to and from the Festival to neighborhoods within their service area.