A weekend of arts, culture and music is planned for July 7-10 as the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts celebrates its 24th anniversary.

Organizers from Youngstown State University’s Cliffe College of Creative Arts, JAC Management, the City of Youngstown, Mahoning County Convention & Visitors Bureau and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church are announcing a variety of events planned for that weekend.

“For 24 years, the Summer Festival of the Arts has showcased the very best of the arts and culture in our community, combining artists, performers and organizations for a rich, diverse and vibrant weekend of events. When we gather together for common cause, we have the perfect opportunity to publicly display all that makes the Valley unique,” said Lori A. Factor, festival director.

Events include:
  • The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Summerfest – The St. Nicholas festival kicks off the weekend July 7-10 and includes music and dancing, Greek food and pastries and a display of cultural memorabilia. Dates and times are 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday, July 7; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 8 and 9; and 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, July 10. Take out lunch service is available on Thursday and Friday. Admission is free. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 220 N. Walnut St., Youngstown 44503.
  • YSU Summer Festival of the Arts – The 24th annual YSU Summer Festival of the Arts will be held July 9-10 at Wean Park, 229 E. Front St., Youngstown 44503 in between the Market Street Bridge (Huntington Community Alley) and the Covelli Centre. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, July 9 and 11 a.m.,-5 p.m., Sunday, July 10. Wean Park, 229 E. Front St., Youngstown 44503.
  • Youngstown Wine and Jazz, featuring Four80East and Sharon Rae North, Saturday, July 9, Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, 201 S. Phelps St., Youngstown 44503. 330-746-5600.

Wean Park

Summer Festival of the Arts – activities and attractions
  • The artists’ marketplace – The heart of the festival is the artists’ marketplace that showcases the work of over 70 local, regional and national artists selling original, hand-crafted pieces such as jewelry, paintings, sketches, sculptures, glass, wood, and textiles. Artists’ work has been juried, or selected, from among all of the applicants. Click here to see 2022’s accepted artists.
  • Family activities – Family activities are central to this event and include the popular hands-on art tent where children are encouraged to create various pieces of artwork under the guidance of two professional art teachers.
  • Displays – Eight of the 6-foot tall Canfield Fair roosters from the “Flock to the Fairgrounds” project will also be on display during the two-day event. In addition, flags created as a result of the public art project, “The Wishing Flag Project,” will be on display.
Summer Festival of the Arts – live performance

Multiple music, theater, and dance performances are scheduled on two stages at the Summer Festival of the Arts:

  • Saturday performances: the Youngstown Community Concert Band, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra Quartet, Ballet Western Reserve, Caitlin Hedge and Dave Lynn, Trumbull New Theatre, Ice Cube Cricket, Opera Western Reserve, Alla Boara, Millennial Theatre Company, Oakland Center for the Arts Kids First Theatre Initiative and The Franchise Band.
  • Sunday performances: County Mayo, Ballet Western Reserve, Oakland Center for the Arts Kids First Theatre Initiative, Matt Jackson, The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Valley Players, Mahoning Valley Players, Stambaugh Youth Band member, Natalie Alfera and The Labra Brothers.
Summer Festival of the Arts – arts, culture and community groups 

Numerous arts, culture, religious and community groups will join the festivities either on-site in a booth or at their home locations.

  • Groups on-site: Stambaugh Auditorium, DeYor Performing Arts Center, Youngstown Symphony, Opera Western Reserve, Youngstown Playhouse, Youngstown CityScape, YSU Honors College, Lit Youngstown, St. John’s Episcopal Church, YWCA Mahoning Valley, League of Women Voters of Greater Youngstown, Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Mahoning Valley Chapter, The Columbiana Cultural Collective, The Squeaky Wheel Theatre Co., Jewish Community Center/Arts & Culture, The Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley, Unitarian Universalist Church, WYSU-FM, SMARTS, Vista AST, Hopewell Theatre, Millennial Theatre Company, Eastern Gateway Community College, Oakland Center for the Arts Kids First Theatre Initiative, YSU Campus Recreation/Athletics, Junior League of the Mahoning Valley, Ballet Western Reserve, YSU Fashion and Interiors Department, Trumbull New Theatre, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and the YSU Bookstore.
  • Groups at their home locations: The Butler Institute of American Art (children’s activities both days); McDonough Museum of Art; YWCA 40th Annual Women Artists Show; Art House on Elm; Trinity United Methodist Church; Tyler History Center and Arms Family Museum (buy-one-get-one admission, both days at both locations); Oh Wow Science Center; Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor-Steel Museum (free admission on Saturday); Soap Gallery; and the dozens of restaurants, bars and shops located in downtown Youngstown.
Other downtown events
  • The Youngstown Flea – 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, July 9. The Youngstown Flea features local and regional merchants selling arts, antique and repurposed furniture, vintage clothing, collectibles, jewelry, candles, food, drink and produce. 365 E. Boardman St., downtown Youngstown 44503. 330-565-5483. in**@yo************.com…. youngstownflea.com….
  • Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Main Library – 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, July 9. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44503. 330-744-8636.
  • Trinity United Methodist Church – Youngstown Music Teachers Association Student Recital (11 a.m., Saturday, July 9) and a patriotic sing-along sponsored by the American Guild of Organists (1 p.m., Saturday, July 9). Trinity United Methodist Church,30 W. Front St, Youngstown 44503. 330-744-5032.
  • Ward Beecher Planetarium shows – The Ward Beecher Planetarium on YSU’s campus will return with five shows on Saturday, July 9 beginning at noon, and then at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. “We are very excited to welcome our YSU Summer Festival of the Arts visitors back to the Ward Beecher Planetarium on Saturday, July 9. All shows are free and open to the public,” said Curt Spivey, Planetarium engineer. Ward Beecher Planetarium, YSU, Lincoln Avenue at N. Phelps Street, Youngstown 44502. 330-941-3616. www.wbplanetarium.org….

  • Youngstown Wine and Jazz Concert – For the 11th year, the Youngstown Wine and Jazz Concert will once again be held in conjunction with the festival 7 p.m., Saturday, July 9 at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. The concert features Four80East, the duo of Rob DeBoer and Tony Grace. Their smooth jazz genre includes progressive rock, jazz, and gospel. Youngstown native, jazz vocalist Sharon Rae North, will open. General admission tickets are $10 and reserved tickets are $25. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com…. Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, 201 S. Phelps St., Youngstown 44503. 330-746-5600.

“We are proud to once again partner with YSU for the 24th annual Summer Festival of the Arts. This long-standing event is a staple in our community and the perfect addition to our calendar of events at Wean Park,” said Jordan Ryan, executive director of JAC Management Group.

More information is available at www.ysu.edu…

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