The diverse Waterloo Arts District, a half-mile corridor located on Cleveland's east side, exudes a special kind of artful charisma that makes it attractive to Cleveland creatives of all types. The area is packed with more than 50 independent merchants who include a major indie rock venue, emerging art galleries, vintage threads, vinyl shops and local purveyors of suds and grub.
So, fittingly, the Waterloo Arts Festival doesn't fall short when it comes to creativity. One major premise of the annual event: you're never too young - or old - to make art. This all-day affair is part arts fair, part music festival and all parts mind expansion.
About the Fest
The 21st Annual Waterloo Arts Fest is Saturday, Sept. 13 from Noon-7 p.m. and features local bands playing a great mix of music, local handmade art vendors, CLE’s best food trucks, and an exciting mix of innovative and interactive art experiences for all ages.
This community event is produced by Waterloo Arts, a nonprofit art center whose mission is to enrich the neighborhood culturally and economically by creating a stimulating arts environment through exhibits, performances, special events, and educational programming for people of all ages. In addition to orchestrating this festival, Waterloo Arts manages an art gallery, public art projects, a community arts center and artist studios.
Art, Music and More
Like any good art fair, there's plenty of art to be seen and purchased. At Waterloo, expect nothing less with its dozens of local and unique art for sale. Work side-by-side area artists in pop-up studios and workshops to create your own original artwork. Each year the Waterloo Arts Fest has 7-10 stages, showcasing a wide-variety of music and attracting a great mix of people with performances from indie, folk, R&B, experimental, rap, rock, singer-song writer, classical, international, and many other musical act genres. Also, with 5,000-7,000 attendees each year to the festival, that’s a lot of mouths to feed. No worries. The festival features food vendors and food trucks offering interesting, healthy, delicious food options for every taste.