Fine and performing artists reunite in Downtown for annual East Main Arts Festival

Creativity, music and family fun! Downtown Arlington welcomes the return of the East Main Arts Festival which is celebrating its fourth year on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The festival takes place from noon until 8:00 p.m. along the section of Main Street that stretches from Urban Alchemy Coffee + Wine Bar (403 E. Main St.) to Centerspace Coworking (609 E. Main St.)

The Making of a Tradition

What began as an idea between a small group of artists is quickly growing into one of the Arlington Cultural District’s favorite traditions.

“When we first began in 2016, we only had 50 spaces available,” said Amanda James, participant manager for volunteer-driven EMAF. “This year, we’ve more than doubled in size! Also, over half of the artists and vendors who are participating this year are new to the festival, so we have a great mix of returning favorites and new talent for guests to enjoy.”

#EMAF2019

This year, EMAF will include 100 visual artist and vendor booths offering a variety of arts and media such as live painting, sculpture and pottery. Be sure to stop by Centerspace Coworking and check out the artists from 817 Arts Alliance who will be showing their work inside. Additionally, the East Main experience will also include 26 local music acts performing on four festival stages. Participant and performance schedule will be posted to the event’s Facebook page by the end of this week.

For even more family-friendly activities, the Arlington Animal Shelter Mobile Adoption Unit is returning to the festival, as well as bounce houses, a Pop-Up Dog Park, and the Arlington Public Library Bookmobile. You’re also invited to bring gently used or new books to donate the EMAF Little Free Library initiative.

Along the festival route, be sure to try local craft beer (brewed right on the block) from Division Brewing, hand-made brisket tacos from Mavericks Sports Grill (full menu also available), and fresh pastries. Urban Alchemy Coffee + Wine Bar will also be open for business, serving up their full menu of artisan coffee, wine and light bites.

Amanda finds it gratifying that EMAF, as a volunteer-driven event, has doubled in size in just four years’ time. For her, there are two things she particularly loves about the festival. “First, I love what this event does for the community. The non-profit that founded the event, Arlington Proud, has a vision of Arlington as a city in which artists and musicians can both live and make a living. East Main is helping create that culture of art and music in Arlington year after year.”

“Second,” she continued, “I love getting to know all the participants and supporting their talents. None of our artists are ‘starving artists’ when they leave, and I think that’s very cool. The community comes out to support everyone and that gives me the warm-and-fuzzies every year!”

More Information

East Main Arts Festival is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook event page or email EastMainArtsFestival@gmail.com.

Get social by using #EMAF2019 on all your social media posts at the festival.

Getting Around Downtown

Track #myAbram and visit myAbram.com for the latest information about traffic routing, temporary parking and construction milestones along Abram St. Download Waze for free and see real-time traffic, find optimal routes and avoid road closures, or leave your car at home and hail Via Arlington Ride Share for only $3. Unless specified, parking is free throughout Downtown Arlington.

About Downtown Arlington

Designated by the State of Texas as the Arlington Cultural District, Downtown Arlington blends a unique mix of activities, sights, tastes and sounds that attract visitors and locals alike. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown is home to a top tier public research university, prolific fine and performing artists and arts institutions, live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, tag us with @DTArlington and click here to subscribe to Downtown Arlington’s weekly e-newsletter.