Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) announces the annual Art & Apples Festival^®, the nonprofit community arts organization’s signature event, will take place September 5–7 at the sprawling Rochester Municipal Park, near downtown Rochester. Now in its 59^th year, the event boasts more than 250 juried artists and artisans, food vendors with creative fare including pies and other apple-themed treats, a kid’s art zone and play area, and a variety of musical acts throughout the three-day festival that attracts more than 60,000 guests.   
 
Paint Creek Center for the Arts Executive Director Shaun Hayes says the goal is always to keep the festival fresh to draw both new and returning visitors.
 
“Among our 250+ juried art exhibitors – selected from nearly 450 applications - we continue to maintain just the right mix of new artists with returning artists,” Hayes said. “The key is for a balance of both – attracting new festival goers who want to experience Art & Apples for the first time because they are intrigued by the mix of artists and art mediums, and those who return because they have artist favorites from previous years and want to shop for additional purchases from them.”  
 
This year’s Art & Apples Festival^® occurs as the organization continues its strategic efforts to create and support initiatives that bring art into the community in new ways.
 
“As Paint Creek Center for the Arts works each year to keep the Art & Apples Festival^® relevant and engaging, we are also aiming to broaden appreciation for art in the community setting,” Hayes said. “We expanded our participation in the Rochester DDA’s longstanding deck art program – popular with budding young artists – by exhibiting 23 skateboard decks in our gallery this year, up from six last year. We also recently launched our Free Little Art Gallery, similar to little libraries found in neighborhoods, which invites people to take and leave small pieces of art for their enjoyment.”
 
Paint Creek Center for the Arts’ initial support of plein air (in the open air) artists – artists who create their art outdoors in public spaces – has also expanded from five plein air artists in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic to 80 artists now. They will be present again this year at the festival, further highlighting how art in the community is accessible for all.
 
Festival offerings include unique artwork, handmade keepsakes, and distinctive home goods available to purchase; live stage entertainment from community music and dance groups as well as local musicians; food trucks and tents offering a wide array of food options from classic American fare to Mediterranean to Asian street food, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options; the Meijer Kids Art Zone offering children’s art activities; and the Creation Station featuring live art-making demonstrations, including Ervin Glassworks.
 
Updates to the 2025 Art & Apples Festival^®:

1. A new partnership with Rochester Avon Parks and Recreation (RARA) will keep the Meijer Kids Art Zone fresh, fun and engaging for kids, with art creation stations, play areas, inflatables, games, entertainment and other activities for the youngest festivalgoers.   
2. New entertainment plus returning festival favorites will take the stage – schedule details to come.  
3. All new food vendors will offer an apple-themed product on their menu. Of course, apple pies will be in abundance, thanks to the efforts of local Boy Scout troops!