Rochester, Mich.---July 1, 2026---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 11–13 at the sprawling Rochester Municipal Park, near downtown Rochester. Celebrating its 60^th year in 2026, the juried festival is both a treasured local tradition and a nationally recognized show. The only Michigan-based art fair to appear in the top 15 of Sunshine Artist magazine’s listing of the 2025 Top 200 Fine Art & Design Shows as judged by artist profitability, PCCA Executive Director Shaun Hayes says the recognition for Art & Apples is notable.
 
“Art & Apples has been building a national reputation for the past several years,” Hayes said. “To be ranked 11 on a list of 200 art fairs when there are more than 1,000 in the country annually, including over 100 in Michigan, attests to the Art & Apples Festival^® strategy to maintain the local and regional appeal while joining the select other art fairs in the country that set the national standard for a premier community art event. It’s an intentional balance that guides our planning. We carefully curate the juried artists to appeal to a variety of attendees seeking high quality, unique art at a range of prices.”
 
Marking its 60^th year, the festival offers something for everyone to enjoy. Festival attendees can expect handcrafted work from over 250 juried creatives from around the country, selling goods including photography, ceramics, painting, metalworking, knits and more. For those looking to enjoy the festival’s entertainment offerings, the Main Stage, sponsored by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, will feature an array of performances throughout the festival. All festivalgoers can observe live demonstrations in the Creation Station, including glassblowing from Ervin Glassworks. Perhaps one of the best parts of the festival? The strong sense of community that permeates throughout the weekend amid the 60,000+ attendees.
 
“Art & Apples’ longevity in Rochester for 60 years is a testament to the powerful combination of art and community,” Hayes noted. “We not only have nationally and regionally acclaimed artists – some who have been with us since the 1980s – we also have food and retail vendors and community groups, like the Boy Scouts, that join us every year.”
 
Art & Apples is PCCA’s signature fundraiser and is responsible for a large portion of the nonprofit’s annual budget. Outside of the festival, PCCA offers year-round programming, including various art classes for all ages, complimentary art exhibitions, an Art Market exclusively selling Michigan artists’ work, summer camps, and community outreach through its Art Anywhere program. A suggested $5 donation per person will be accepted at each of the festival’s entrances; in turn, PCCA shares a portion of these donations with the other area nonprofits and community ‘gate groups’ greeting festivalgoers.
 
Sponsorships are also a key to making the festival a success and bring tremendous value to the sponsors as well. PCCA is grateful to Genisys Credit Union for continuing to serve as the festival’s presenting sponsor, which, according to its President and CEO Jackie Buchanan, is particularly meaningful this year.
 
“Genisys Credit Union is incredibly proud to return as the presenting sponsor for the Art & Apples Festival, especially as it celebrates a remarkable 60 years,” Buchanan said. “Six decades of bringing people together proves just how deeply rooted this festival is in our community. It is a privilege to support Paint Creek Center for the Arts in keeping this vibrant, nationally recognized tradition alive, fostering both local connections and a deep appreciation for the arts.”
 
For additional sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Art & Apples sponsorship page on the website, call PCCA at 248-651-4110, or email Shaun Hayes at Shaun@PCCArt.org.  
 
The 60^th Art & Apples Festival^® will open on Friday, September 11 from 2 p.m.–7 p.m. in Rochester Municipal Park and continue on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday, September 13 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. In recognition of the 25^th anniversary of 9/11, the traditional Friday ribbon cutting will move to Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m. at the Rochester Municipal Park bandshell. Note to attendees that a city ordinance forbids dogs at the festival.
 
Complimentary shuttle transportation on Saturday and Sunday will be available for attendees who choose to park at Rochester High School. The shuttles will be provided by OPC Social & Activity Center’s transportation services, with wheelchair lift-equipped buses providing accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
 
About Paint Creek Center for the Arts
Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) is a regional nonprofit art center located in Downtown Rochester. Art & Apples is a project funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. PCCA’s mission is to build on our rich heritage of leading creativity in our community by providing opportunities for all to learn, create, and support creativity by providing opportunities for all to learn, create, experience and appreciate the arts. Learn more at pccart.org.