Doylestown Arts Festival Celebrates 20 Years

For a few moments on Saturday afternoon, the crossroads of Main and Oakland streets in Doylestown were transformed into an autumnal Parisian fantasy as an accordion player, guitarist and bassist played romantic swing waltz for a crowd of toe-tapping listeners.

The Buckingham-based Dallas Vietty’s Musette Project is just one of many local acts performing this weekend at the 20th annual Doylestown Arts Festival, which is expected to draw as many as 12,000 visitors from around the country.

The festival, presented by the and The Thompson Organization, features more than 150 artisans, family-friendly interactive stations, musical performances and food. 

“It’s a great way to showcase all of the merchants, artisans and craftsmen in our area. And it brings a sense of community into town to beautify our streets,” said Cathy Hoot, chairman of Doylestown’s holiday decorating committee. “Doylestown embraces everyone.”

The town has certainly embraced Penney Fleming, founder of Fleming Studios, a pottery workshop run out of her Doylestown home. Fleming grew up in Michigan and lived in Elkins Park for years, but said she finally found her niche when she moved to town in 2000.

“There is an extremely rich history of tile and clay here. And the people in Doylestown are very receptive to creative, handmade pieces,” Fleming said, showcasing pieces her students made in pottery classes. “I feel like I’ve come home.”

Further east on State Street, past busy booths of hand-crafted jewelry and woodwork, smiling toddlers banged on drums and strummed play guitars at the Community Conservatory’s booth.

“As soon as you get one kid making noise, all the others want to join in,” laughed Board Member Ron Martin.

The Conservatory offers music, acting and art classes to everyone from newborns to senior citizens, which Martin said is important in light of some schools cutting the arts out of their curriculums.

“We need to keep the culture alive and build,” he said.

In support of local art, Heather Gallagher of Fountainville said she brought her entire family to the festival for the first time this year.

While her oldest son watched a weaving demonstration with wide eyes, her other children played with colorful, homemade masks they created at the Lights, Camera, Acting! tent.

“Having the streets closed off is great for when you’re walking around with kids,” she said.

Around the corner on Main Street, Tracy Suchodolski said the reason she’s returned to the festival for 10 years now is due to the quality of the crafters—from painters and photographers, to cartoonists and carvers.

“I used to push a stroller around here,” she laughed, glancing at her daughters who were busy looking for more four-footed friends with their dog Charlie.

Past the face painting and juggling, away from the crowds and commotion at the far west end of State Street, artist William Bunting of central New Jersey painted a stunning reproduction of a photographed diner and car.

Dressed in a paint-splattered smock, he concentrated quietly on picking colors from his pallet—transporting onlookers back to the streets of old Europe.

“I love this historic town," he said of Doylestown. "The people are friendly, and they support us.”

For a full list of vendors and events, visit doylestownartsfestival.com.