CenterFest Arts Festival returns to Durham this weekend
CenterFest Arts Festival returns to Durham this weekend.
CenterFest is a juried fine arts festival in downtown Durham. Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation at the gate. This year's festival dates are Saturday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The festival, in its 48th year, spans multiple blocks around Durham's City Center, including stages at CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran St., and 9th Street Bakery, 136 E. Chapel Hill St.
The fest features dozens of artist booths and multiple stages with performers from the Triangle and across the country. Booths will sell ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork, glass and more.
There will also be food and drink vendors and a Creative Kids Zone with crafts, rides and games for little ones.
Creative Kids Zone
The Creative Kids Zone will be held near the Ninth St. Bakery lot at the center of the festival.
Kids can enjoy free make-n-take art projects, including popsicle stick harmonicas, printmaking, beaded pipe-cleaner jewelry and crowns, colorful paper radial mobiles, free coloring books and more.
Children can touch and play music and instruments with KidzNotes at the family stage each day of the festival between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
There will also be rides, including a twirling turbo, giant swing, inflatable slide and more. The rides will cost between $1 and $3.
Food and drink
Near Bull McCabe's Irish Pub, 427 W Main St., enjoy a beer garden, a smash burger and The Latin Effect local food truck. B & P Tasti Treats will also be there selling hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, loaded fries and funnel cakes.
In the Five Points neighborhood on West Main Street, find Bruster’s Homemade Ice Cream, hot pretzels, nachos, popcorn and tropical ice.
The main food court area at CCB Plaza will feature Party in a Pita Greek/Lebanese cuisine, Crabdaddy’s famous crab-cakes and shrimp skewers, The Cheese Curd Shack, El Jefecito Taco Truck with Mexican specialties, Sunshine Slushies and cold lemonade.
According to organizers, CenterFest is the longest-running outdoor street arts festival in North Carolina, usually attracting more than 30,000 people to downtown Durham.
WRAL is a Proud Community Partner of CenterFest.
