Susan Valentine, Leverett, Mass.
Every Memorial Day Weekend, 260 thoughtfully selected artists and fine craft makers from all corners of America descend upon the historic Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, Massachusetts, for three days of astounding visual arts, scrumptious food, fabulous live music and great fun. Stroll through flowering sculpture gardens filled with artful delights, and enjoy special exhibits, demonstrations and activities.
Come in the evening and take advantage of the vibrant night life and bustling Main Street of Northampton, named the Number One Small Art Town in America. All are compelling reasons to come on down to Paradise City for the long holiday weekend.
Come to the “Festival”
This year’s Paradise City Arts Festival takes place May 23, 24 and 25 at the 3 County Fairgrounds, 54 Old Ferry Road, at Route 9 in Northampton. Hours are Saturday and Sunday,10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday,10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission price: adults: $13, seniors $11, students $8; three-day pass: $16. Children 12 years of age and younger admitted free. Free parking. All exhibits are indoors and under tents, rain or shine.
“Up in the Air!”
Themed “show-within-a-show” exhibitions have been inspiring artists and intriguing patrons at Paradise City Arts Festivals for years. The sky is the limit at this spring’s special exhibit, “Up in the Air.”
The participating artists were asked to give Paradise City the sun, the moon and the stars!
If it isn’t tethered to the ground, it’s fair game. “Up in the Air!” explores everything that defies gravity, whether it flies, floats or is suspended in space. This special show, which includes functional, decorative and collectible work in all media, is mounted at the Gazebo in the Arena Building and in the Sculpture Garden – with more examples on view throughout the fair.
Annual silent auction
This year’s silent auction benefits the International Language Institute (ILI‚, which provides free English classes for new arrivals from all over the world so they can utilize their skills in this country and successfully integrate into our local community. They promote cross-cultural understanding, empowering people from diverse backgrounds by providing teacher training and dynamic, student-centered language instruction.
Hundreds of beautiful works have been donated by the show’s exhibiting artists for a three-day silent auction at the Festival.
Come for the food, the music
The Festival Dining Tent is a microcosm of the vibrant foodie scene in Northampton. Check out some the region’s best chefs, with menus from around the world.
While you’re dining, enjoy three fabulous new bands on the Festival Soundstage.
Paradise City brings the stepped-up sounds of Juke Joint Jazz to the Soundstage on Saturday. Sit back with a burrito and a beer and welcome Roomful of Blues’ Sugar Ray Norcia and his Bluetones on Sunday. Evelyn Harris, who spent 18 years with Sweet Honey in the Rock, brings her powerhouse voice and a great backup band on Monday to wind up Memorial Day Weekend.
There’s always something new at Paradise City. This year, welcome North Carolina sculptor Nancy Kubale, who makes her Paradise City debut at this spring’s show.
For more information about this year’s Paradise City Arts Festival, call 800-511-9725 or visit: www.paradisecityarts.com.
