Alley Art Festival Returns Labor Day Weekend

AURORA, IL — Alley Art Festival, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is returning Aug. 30 to downtown Aurora.

The free-admission art festival will bring almost 100 local artists and artisans — who all live within 30 miles of Aurora — to the area near City Hall to showcase their work, from art and pottery to jewelry and handmade goods.

"Alley Art Festival has always had the goals of bringing local artists together and celebrating community," event director Marissa Amoni said in a statement. "It's a festive day that often inspires future artists. It's joyful."

The festival will be staged on both Water Street Mall and Downer Place between Stolp Avenue and Water Street. The event will last from noon to 5 p.m., following the Aurora Farmers Market, which runs from 8 a.m. to noon.

Besides art vendors, the event will also feature live music, belly dancing, children's activities and food vendors. Local band Hot Dog Stand will perform at noon, and Lund Surk will go on at 3 p.m. at Mundy Park, adjacent to Water Street Mall. Dianella Dance, Magnolia Dance Collective and Thalia Dance will perform a belly dance at 2 p.m.

Food vendors will include Strawberries BBQ, Tamales Plus, The Lovely Lemon, Snow Ballin Sisters, Polly Ann Cake and Kool Kat Ice Cream.

These nonprofits will have tables set up at Alley Art Festival: Aurora Film Society, Aurora Regional Fire Museum, City of Lights Film Festival, Mutual Ground and APS Training Academy.

"It's nice to reach this milestone," Amoni said. "It's a great reminder that art is important, and equally so is the community that supports it."