One of Collingwood’s longest-running festivals is getting a makeover and taking the celebration to the street.
The Collingwood Arts and Music Festival is marking its 33rd year with a street party event on Simcoe Street - the town’s unofficial creative district.
The Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts is returning as hosts of the event, paring it down to one day - June 29 - with indoor and outdoor events and demonstrations of fine art, film, music, drama, and poetry.
Susan Cook, manager of operations for the BMFA said it will be a busy day and she’s hoping it will generate a lot of interest.
“We’re celebrating the creative district,” said Cook. “Everyone on the street is a part of it … We’ve enhanced every aspect of it.”
The organization intentionally rebranded the event, opening it up to more art forms and bringing the music portion from the background to the stage.
The music lineup includes performances by John Haines, the Shipyard Kitchen Band, Shane Cloutier, and Lockheart Road.
There are 50 artists involved in the event with art displays and some demonstrations.
The event will also include an authors corner with nine authors and a children’s corner where Quarter Century Theatre will be performing live theatrical performances of classic children’s stories.
Fleetwood dancers will be performing on the main stage in the morning and area mayors including Collingwood Mayor Brian Saunderson, Wasaga Beach Mayor Nina Bifolchi, and Clearview Mayor Doug Measures will compete in the first-ever Mayor’s Art Battle.
Mountain Goat Films will be at the Simcoe Street Theatre with a 3D film demonstration.
The festivities take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the event is free for the public to attend. Simcoe Street between Ste. Marie Street and St. Paul Street will be closed for the event.
