La Plata, MD — Charles County’s largest arts festival rolled out its 23rd year Saturday, June 13. Charles County Art Fest, which has had several venues and names over the years has settled into the grounds of La Plata Town Hall. The event is sponsored by Charles County Arts Alliance.
The venue is a perfect fit as it allowed festival goers to wander around the walkways of the town park on one side of the town hall and a parking lot and green space on the other to view the 47 artists and vendors and to sample seven options for food and drink
Each side of the town hall had a stage for continuous entertainment from accomplished local groups. Among the performers were Charles County Youth Orchestra, Harmoni ‘N Blue, Appalachian Trio, The Flea Bops, CSM Drama Club, Korean American Cultural Arts Foundation, Port Tobacco Pickers, Southern Maryland Jazz Orchestra, Southern Maryland Harp Circle and the Nichols Brothers.
On hand for the day was noted decoy carver Burky Boggs, co-founder of the Southern Maryland Carousel Group, which had several carousel horses on display. Featured artist for the day was Terry Quinn, owner of Solomons Gallery.
The entertainment was interrupted briefly as three of the county commissioners (President Peter Murphy, and commissioners Amanda Stewart and Ken Robinson) presented a certificate to Charles County Arts Alliance President Robert Rausch. Also on hand for the photo opportunity were Director of Tourism Tom Morgan and members of the College of Southern Maryland Drama Club.
Charles County Arts Alliance has been recognized since 1987 by the Maryland State Arts Council as the official arts council for the county. It serves as the umbrella organization for promoting all of the arts in Charles County. For more information go to www.charlescountyarts.org
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com
