Summerfair When: May 30 from noon-7 p.m., May 31 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and June 1 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: Coney Island, California What: Summerfair is an arts and crafts festival featuring over 300 artists across multiple mediums from the United States and Canada who exhibit and sell their work. Who: Summerfair Why: Summerfair is one of the oldest continuous art fairs in the country and has given millions of dollars back to the regional arts community. Photo: Provided by Summerfair

Cincinnati’s premier art show, Summerfair, is returning for its 58th year Friday, May 30-Sunday, June 1, remaining in the same area of the former Coney Island amusement park this year.

Consistently ranking in the top 25 U.S. fine art and design shows, Summerfair supports artists and small arts organizations through scholarships, awards and exhibitions. The weekend will feature work from more than 340 juried artists, as well as regional performers and unique, gourmet food and drinks for sale.

Organizers say the artists represent 12 categories: photography, painting, drawing/printmaking, wood, metal, sculpture, glass, ceramics, fibers, leather, jewelry and 2D/3D mixed media.

“What started as a small art fair’s salute to the opening of Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park has grown into one of the oldest continuous art fairs in the country, drawing more than 20,000 art enthusiasts to see and purchase the works of artists from across the United States,” organizers said in a press release.

Considered as one of the top five best Midwest art fairs by ArtFairCalendar.com, Summerfair has given more than $2 million to the regional arts community in its nearly six-decade history.

There is also a lineup of live music on Saturday and Sunday of the fair, which includes:

Saturday, May 31

  • 12 p.m. Aprina Johnson (acoustic soul)
  • 1 p.m.   Boutique (pop and jazz standards)
  • 2 p.m.   The 3 Micks (classic rock with a touch of country and blues)
  • 3 p.m.   Chris Collier & The Full Band (singer/songwriter folk)
  • 4 p.m.   Silver Strings (acoustic ‘50s,’60s, and ‘70s)
  • 5 p.m.   The Cheryl & Shorty Show (R & B with New Orleans-style fun)
  • 6 p.m.   Jam Grass Duo (bluegrass)

Sunday, June 1

  • 11 a.m. Eric Wurzelbacher & Brandon Coleman (jazz)
  • 12 p.m. The Faux Frenchmen (Hot Club jazz and swing)
  • 1 p.m. The Amador Sisters (sunny music of the Islands)
  • 2 p.m. Farm Report (Americana)
  • 3 p.m. Wild Carrot (roots/folk)
  • 4 p.m. Tracy Walker (R & B, soul, singer/songwriter)

Hours for Summerfair are noon to 7 p.m. Friday, May 30; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 31; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 1. Tickets can be purchased as single-day or multi-day; one-day tickets are $10, while multi-day are $15. Children 12 and under get in for free.

You can buy Summerfair tickets and learn more at summerfair.org.

Summerfair, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township.

This article appears in Apr 17-30, 2024.

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she...