By CHRIS JACKETT
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – A national art event is set to take over the downtown area this week, and residents should expect plenty of artistic flavor from across the country.
More than 350 artists from 30 states and Canada will line Biddle Avenue and First Street for the Wyandotte Street Art Fair Wednesday through Saturday.
“Normally we get 200,000 to 250,000 people,” said Heather Thiede, special events coordinator for the city. “Last year, we had a lot of people Wednesday for the kickoff.”
The event, which since 1961 steadily has grown into the second-largest such event in the state, also will include dozens of musicians, performers, food vendors and exhibitors.
“We try to space out all the events,” Thiede said. “As always, we have a second entertainment stage at Elm and First Street.”
Nine, Square Pegz, Fifty Amp Fuse, Howling Diablos and The Look are all scheduled to perform, along with more than a dozen other entertainers.
Entertainment will run from noon to 11 p.m. daily, while the art fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. all four days. The ‘dotte Arts Project and Retro Row will feature newer, local artists.
“We have between very fine art and very fine crafts,” Thiede said. “We have an emerging artists section that’s mixed in with the other artists on Biddle Avenue.”
The all-ages Street Art Fair will spread down Biddle Avenue and First Street from Oak Street to Eureka Road, a span of six blocks. For more information, including event schedules, go to www.wyandottestreetartfair.org.
(Contact Chris Jackett at [email protected])