Mai Fest Showcases Local Artists And Crafters On Olde Western Avenue

BLUE ISLAND, IL — Join the Blue Island Arts Alliance, the Streetz Artz Alliance and the businesses on Olde Western Avenue Saturday, April 30, for a celebration of arts, crafts and spring. Mai Fest runs from noon to 5 p.m.

Nearly 90 artisans and crafters from Blue Island and the local area will be lining Olde Western Avenue between Broadway and Canal. Artists will also besetting up shop inside the businesses, bars and breweries along the strip. One caveat for participants was that all wares for sale at Mai Fest must be handmade, so there will be no mass-produced products of direct sale vendors.

>>> Listen to the South Side Pod interview: Mai Fest Is Coming To Blue Island

Mai Fests are traditionally celebrated in Germany as a way to welcome spring. These spring festivals are held in cities and towns throughout the world.

“Blue Island had a lot of early German settlers,” said Joe Leamanczyk, of the Blue Island Arts Alliance. “The City of Blue Island has been really excited about the fest. It’s a great way to wake up the town again post pandemic.”

Come enjoy the vibe and peruse blocks of original art, comic strips, jewelry, candles, soaps, sweets, apparel and other handmade crafts. Mai Fest will also feature a live DJ, music, tarot readers, good eats, activities and, of course, Mai Poles.

While strolling Olde Western Avenue, duck into one of these fine establishments for a refreshing craft brew:

Front Row, 13312 Olde Western
Rock Island Public House, 13328 Olde Western
Blue Island Beer Co., 13357 Olde Western
Natural Law Cocktail Club, 13404 Olde Western

Artists will be set up inside Front Row where s DJ will be stationed outside. Also, Blue Island Beer Company will offer live music starting at 4 p.m., with artists and crafters set up inside the bar and in the parking lot. Keep up with Mai Fest happenings on Streetz Arts Alliance Facebook and Blue Island Arts Alliance Facebook.

Here is the updated and final artist list for Mai Fest, April 30:

AWE Sauce / Comics
Axial Creations
Bella Beauty
Belonio Doodles
Beverlycraftco
Boothy Chicago
Brian A Martinez
Canal Woodturning
Castillo & Co. Jewelry
Cats, Crafts & Cooking
Ceramics by Leo
Chicitycrafts
Cositas de Clay
Decor Candles
DESSERTS FLORES
Dive Bar Soap Company
DK Custom Woodwork Co.
Dust Bunny Mafia
EncinoMane Publications
Fine-A-Lea Crafts
Fleeting Obsessions
FrankenWerks Studios
Galaxy Skincare
Gary Price, Artist
Ghost Owl Studio
Gigawatt Coffee Roasters
HeadCase Studio
Heidy’s Krafts
I tumble for you
Intuitive Visions
Jason Michael West Art
John Tamulis Art
Jonathan Grimm Art
K Cute Creations
KP's Candy Factory
Laura Lynne Art, LLC
LeonMechelle artist studio
Libra Rising By Yoali
Little Love Affairs Boutique
Lovely’s Magickal Treasures
Luna’s Loops
Madame Soto
Mejor Sana Shop
Moonlight BEEN

MrAntihero
NiBu Design
OG Clothing LLC
Owl Bee Creative Studio
Pastry Sue Sue
Penca De Nopal
Phoenix Rising Art
Rabbit Hole of Research
Raven Feathers and Bat Wings
Rebel Ice Cream Co.
Reflections with Kate
Reisha Rhapsodies
Rocco bee Collective
Rosemarys31Treasures
Ruta Spencer
Sage & Sunflowers Crystal Kitchen
SamanthaPaintsOften
ScarabSanctuary
SCARY TERRI'S CRAFTS
Self Made Body & Soul
Sid Sauce
Sir Winslow's Zoo
Smelly Melly Soaps and Candles, LLC
South Side Pod
Stray Cats
Susan Larsen Design
susanscraftstudio
Tarot by Ptah
Tasty Pickles
The SmileSpliff Society
On A Dog, LLC
The Waxy Lab
This Miss Bakes
Tienditardp
Unique Creations by Rachel