Genre Art fair Inaugurated 1962 (1962) Next event May 20 - 21, 2017 | Frequency Annually Most recent May 21 - 22, 2016 | |
The Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair is a festival held annually during the third weekend of May on the grounds of the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois. The festival features both tangible and performing art.
Description
The Old Capitol Art Fair was first celebrated in 1962. It has been held continuously on the lawn of and in the streets surrounding Springfield's Old State Capitol, except when the historic 1837 building was being reconstructed in 1966-70. The fair is known for the Children's Tent, a Springfield innovation. It forms a cordoned-off wing of the Art Fair from which most adults (except approved supervisors) are barred. Items of craft art are offered for sale for a fixed price, affordable for most juveniles through high school age. Many young visitors to the Children's Tent learn for the first time what kinds of art they themselves like and want to buy.
In addition to two-and-three-dimensional artworks, the Art Fair offers a lineup of concert music and Illinois festival food. In 2017, the Fair will be held on May 20 and May 21.