COLUMBUS – One of the marquee downtown Columbus events returns this weekend after a two-year forced absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Columbus Arts Festival, Scioto Mile, downtown Columbus
Friday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Columbus Arts Festival, which regularly attracts as many as 450,000 visitors to the Scioto riverfront is celebrating its 60th anniversary, even if the pandemic robbed of a chance to mark 60 consecutive festivals.
Mayor Andrew Ginther will join city and community leaders to unveil four new pieces of public art on the Scioto Peninsula Friday to mark the festival’s return.
The milestone will be celebrated with limited edition T-shirts.
Hundreds of artists will display their works and performers will entertain along the Scioto Mile from Friday through Sunday.
Columbus Public Health and the Columbus Division of Fire are sponsoring a COVID Vaccine and Family Safety and Care Station where visitors can receive coronavirus vaccines and booster shots next to the Hands-On Activities Village Friday 11 a.m.-7p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-7p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5p.m.
Metro Parks, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and Rapids are organizing Riverfest during the Festival. They will have canoes and kayaks available free of charge, on a first come-first serve basis for festival-goers to take out on the river from a launch point just north of the Main Street bridge Saturday and Sunday.
Other highlights of the festival include the Big Local Art Village on Rich Street between Washington Boulevard and Starling Street, featuring more than 30 Columbus-based artists and arts collectives; the Big Local Music Stage underneath the railroad overpass on Rich Street, at the Franklinton entrance to the Festival and featuring Columbus-based musicians; the Big Local Beer Garden, and the Hands-On Activities Village in Dorrian Green.
A new feature for 2022 is “Film at the Fest,” a “mini-film festival” featuring showings on Friday and Saturday.