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Terry Sagedy, chairman of the event, was pleased with the turnout. "There is something here for everyone to enjoy," he said. "It's been a great weekend, and we're thankful that the weather has held out for us."
This is Sagedy's fourth year as chairman of the event.
"Here in Newtown, there is always something fun to do," he said.
The festival was packed with lots to do, including a music tent, art oasis/lantern tent, dance pavilion, poetry salon, make tent, and puppetry.
For the food selection, there was everything from BBQ to Italian, from seafood and fish & chips to crepes, and of course, ice cream.
Photographer Rhonda Cullens of Flagpole Photographers, who recently won a grant from the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, was in attendance. On Oct.2, she will be having a show at the Newtown Municipal Center from 2 to 4 p.m.
Several performers lit up the stage, including Survivors Swing Band, Sub-Urban, Srividhya Shankar School of Classical South Indian Carnatic Music, Silver Steel Band, Newtown High School Nighthawks Band, Mad Hatter Chorus, Washboard Slim & The Blue Lights, and Last Lixx.
The Berkshire Jazz Orchestra delighted the crowd with many tunes, from oldies to Italian, and even a few hits from the movie "De-Lovely."
Jan Maki has been with the Berkshire Jazz Orchestra for the past 18 years. At the time, the orchestra needed a singer. Her vocal talent was the one that stood out to the orchestra at the time — and the rest is history.
"It was so much fun to be able to perform today at the arts festival, as this was our first time here," Maki said.
Dance performances came from Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice, and The Graceful Planet, along with dance collaboratives with Abbey O'Brien and another with Stephen Rooks.
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