From a
“Wicked” sing-along
And from a 16-square-foot chessboard to an enclosed chalk garden and a cat wearing a cowboy hat, the 47th Annual
Downtown Edmond Arts Festival
is introducing a variety of creative enjoyment to the
the historic core of the city.
Over 160 artists from throughout the nation, an extensive array of culinary options, and numerous children’s activities — along with a complimentary shuttle service to alleviate concerns about parking — are all set for the free event scheduled from May 2-4. This gathering is being orchestrated by the organization.
Downtown Edmond Business Association
.
“Admission is complimentary, featuring numerous activities tailored for children. Often, visitors might believe they cannot afford a pricey item like a $5,000 oil painting; however, many artists offer affordable options such as $10 prints. Therefore, whether you wish to purchase a small keepsake, an expensive piece, or simply let your child find a treasure here, there’s something available for everyone,” explained festival director Michelle Schaefer.
Here’s everything you should be aware of regarding the 2025 Downtown Edmond Arts Festival:
What are the operating hours for the festival, and where is parking available for attendees?
Hours for the
Downtown Edmond Arts Festival
are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 2-3 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4 in downtown Edmond. The event is free to the public.
Multiple
The streets and lanes in downtown Edmond are shut down.
For the event, festival attendees are advised to utilize parking facilities at the University of Central Oklahoma located on the western side of First Street and University Drive. From there, they can take advantage of a complimentary three-minute shuttle service from these lots to the vicinity of First Street and Littler Avenue, which is close to the festival site.
The complimentary shuttle service will operate at intervals of 15 minutes between UCO and downtown Edmond during the entire duration of the festival. The operating hours for the shuttle are from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 2-3 and from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on May 4.
What types of visual arts will be displayed and offered for sale at the event?
The curated fine art exhibition will include works from 159 artists, featuring 66 participants hailing from 16 different states beyond Oklahoma. Some of these artists have journeyed long distances, such as those coming all the way from Minnesota, Delaware, and Wyoming, specifically for the Edmond festival. Attendees can expect to see oil and acrylic paintings, watercolor pieces, jewelry creations, ceramic artworks, and photographic displays being both exhibited and offered for sale at this event.
Additionally, a special segment on First Street will highlight artists and craftspeople showcasing their expertise in materials such as leather, wood, resin, glass, metal, and fabric.
Approximately 20% of the artists featured at the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival displayed their creations downtown earlier this week.
Oklahoma City’s longstanding Festival of the Arts
, Schaefer stated. A significant number of these artists will then proceed to
Tulsa’s Mayfest,
Which takes place from May 9-11 in downtown Tulsa.
“Approximately 85% of artists tend to return for our project. Among them, we have 14 artists who have been collaborating with us for over 15 years. However, this time around, we’re introducing 34 fresh faces as well. It creates a great blend,” she mentioned.
OKC-based graphic designer, illustrator, and photographer
Todd E. Clark
has been selected as the featured artist for this year’s Downtown Edmond Arts Festival. His vibrant
“Kitty Boy Prints,”
This illustration showing his cat Prints dressed in a cowboy hat and Western shirt is showcased on the festival’s T-shirts and posters.
What kinds of entertainment and activities for children are scheduled for the 2025 Downtown Edmond Arts Festival?
The extensive festival is featuring a wide array of Central Oklahoma performers, ranging from singer-songwriters.
Peggy Johnson
to circus act
Hooplahoma
.
The primary stage beneath the pavilion at the Festival Marketplace will host a country music headline act.
Jason Young
On May 3 at 7 p.m.
In addition to hosting Bluey, Disney Princesses, and Spider-Man for appearances within the children’s tent,
Character Connection Co.
Will feature its “Wicked” sing-along at the main stage of the festival on May 3 at 3 p.m.
Keith Coast
‘S Comedy Magic Show will also perform at the Festival Marketplace Stage at 12:45 p.m. on May 4th.
Enhancing the family-oriented enjoyment is a massive gaming zone with enlarged versions of games like Connect 4, building blocks, and dominos, along with a 16-square-foot chess board and an 8-foot grand piano keyboard.
Festival attendees have the opportunity to create their own artwork in the chalk garden located beneath the pavilion.
Which food vendors and restaurants will be offering special treats during the occasion?
Participants can enjoy a variety of festival cuisine at this year’s 47th annual gathering, featuring items such as funnel cakes, corn dogs, and Indian tacos.
For the 2025 Downtown Edmond Arts Festival, Oklahoma-based participants will feature Okie Brittle, Kona Ice, Let’s Do Greek, Wondervan Pops, Daisy Mae’s Icy Creamery, Shuckin’ Delicious Roasted Corn, Urban Wineworks, and Whispering Meadows Winery.
Othello’s of Edmond
will manage both a beer trailer and a hot dog cart.
However, Othello’s and some other downtown Edmond eateries will also cater to festival attendees.
“Some individuals believe that the city organizes this event, or perhaps an art group manages it; however, it’s actually hosted by the business owners of downtown Edmond. This serves as our primary fundraising activity for the year, enabling us to cover the costs associated with providing support services to our members aimed at promoting and attracting visitors to downtown,” explained Schaefer.
Many shops are staying open for longer hours. Restaurants are providing exclusive offers. Sidewalks are accessible, and our aim is to encourage people not just to view the artwork but also drop by the stores multiple times. Frequently, we get comments like, ‘I had no idea this place existed; I must return.’ Therefore, we enjoy strong backing from our business owners.
Where can individuals find additional details about the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival?
To learn more about the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival, visit their website.
and
https://www.facebook.com/DowntownEdmondArtsFestival
.
The article initially appeared in The Oklahoman.
The Downtown Edmond Arts Festival offers free, family-oriented entertainment: Here’s what you should know.
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