The Plymouth Public Library Foundation’s 5th annual 2024 arts and crafts festival is this weekend, August 10 and 11. (Here’s hoping the rain passes quickly on Saturday morning.)
The event, which always draws thousands of people, takes place on the front lawn of the library as well as inside. You’ll be able to browse and buy work by more than 75 regional artists and crafters. It will feature handcrafted canvas art, sculpture, woodwork, glass creations, fabric art, pottery, fashion, jewelry, and metalwork. There will also be live music, face painters, on-site demonstrations, and even an alpaca. Food and beer will be available as well.
The foundation, which is more than 100 years old, was responsible for construction of the South Street library over three decades ago (a somewhat controversial proposal at the time). It replaced the quaint but woefully inadequate library space on North Street.
Bill Petrillo, board president and festival coordinator, was the driving force behind the creation of the festival. It’s run by close to 30 volunteers. Petrillo hopes 2,000 to 4,000 people will attend this weekend.
Money raised at the festival funds a variety of free programs for Plymouth residents at the library. Festival proceeds also help the library pay for technology and landscaping upgrades.
The foundation, Petrillo said, “is responsible for enhancing all the cultural, artistic and educational programs that the library presents to the public – like the literacy program, the art gallery, a lot of the music programs that we bring into the library, and, as well as some historical programs.”
The library is at 132 South St. The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, go here.