The third annual Waveny Arts Festival is set to return to New Canaan this month, featuring artisan vendors, live music, food and family fun.
NEW CANAAN, CT — The Waveny Arts Festival is set to take place once again this weekend in New Canaan, during which a group of artist and artisan vendors representing a mix of mediums, products and styles will be on display for residents and visitors at Waveny Park.
Presented by the Carriage Barn Arts Center, the third annual event will be held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park and feature fine art photographers, a diverse mix of jewelry designers and painters ranging from abstract to landscapes, mixed media to three dimensional and more.
Also on display will be block printed textiles, ceramics, hand-poured candles, clothing, stationery, paper products and ornaments, offering a complete range of sizes and price points for guests, according to additional press materials provided by the Carriage Barn Arts Center.
Guests can also enjoy live music and performances, as well as fun family activities and various food and beverage options.
A young entrepreneurs marketplace will also return to this year’s festival, providing kids and teens ages 9-17 an opportunity to showcase their businesses and products.
Executive Director Hilary Wittmann said the arts festival has quickly become a beloved tradition in New Canaan due to a combination of many factors.
“It’s a fun event that can be enjoyed by all generations,” Wittmann said to Patch. “In addition to shopping and discovering incredible artists and artisans, there’s live music and entertainment all day, local food trucks, free arts and crafts activities and a young entrepreneurs marketplace where kids are showcasing their business ventures. The beautiful setting of Waveny Park is just the perfect place to enjoy all of this.”
The event will feature live music throughout the day with performances by the School of Rock, bluegrass trio The Parkway Ramblers and the New Canaan Town Brass, as well as a preview of the Connecticut Stage Company’s upcoming production of the award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda musical “In the Heights.”
Food and beverage vendors set to appear at the festival include Taco Tequila, the Mobile Pie Truck, So Fresh Doughnut, Sono Creamery, Waffle Cabin, the Caffeine Cowboy and The Spice and Tea Exchange, according to the arts center.
“The majority of these artists and artisans are from New Canaan and the surrounding towns in our community,” Wittmann said. “The same goes for the performers and food vendors, so this is a great way to support our creative community and a great way for the Carriage Barn Arts Center to highlight what we’re all about. Our goal in producing this arts festival is to connect people with the arts and celebrate creativity.”
The growing event was first held at the park in 2023, which Wittmann noted was a smaller festival.
Last year’s festival featured about 50 artists and artisan vendors, double the amount present in 2023, according to Wittmann.
“This year we have about 60 [artist and artisan vendors] and have made some logistical changes to things like managing parking,” Wittmann said. “We’re fortunate to have volunteers from New Canaan CERT and the Service League of Boys on hand to help, as well as National Charity League volunteers running the craft activities.”
Planning for this year’s event began right after the previous festival, Wittmann said.
“We work closely with the town to get all the necessary approvals and permits, then start taking applications from vendors,” Wittmann said. “All of that if finalized over the summer, and then it’s about getting the word out and ensuring all the logistics are in place for the day of the event.”
She also noted Waveny Park provides a magical setting for the festival, with guests surrounded by trees, grass and historic park buildings.
“Everything takes place near the Carriage Barn Arts Center gallery and Powerhouse Theater, which will both be open to visitors all day as well,” Wittmann said. “People are welcome to bring their kids and dogs, stay for lunch and take a walk on the trails after.”
Guests planning to attend the festival Sunday are encouraged to check out the event’s vendor directory and come ready to shop and meet local artists and artisans.
“It’s a tremendous amount of work for the participants to be part of something like this,” Wittmann said, “so we hope everyone supports them and takes this opportunity to learn more about what they do.”