2024 Will Be Last Year For stART On The Street Festival

WORCESTER, MA — After 20 years, the stART on the Street festival will hold its final event in 2024.

In a news release Wednesday, organizers said the event had become "increasingly daunting" to put on, from finding volunteers to raising money.

"The ongoing challenge of recruiting dedicated volunteers and the substantial costs associated with hosting such a large-scale event, combined with the commitment to maintaining accessibility for vendors and attendees, were all factors that ultimately led Team stART to make this difficult decision," organizers said.

The festival got its start in 2002 along Main Street. The event showcasing local artists and performers grew to include nearly 300, and since 2005 took over a section of Park Avenue near Elm Park.

For years, the festival was one of the largest annual events in Worcester and central Massachusetts. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the momentum, leading to the cancelation of the 2020 and 2021 festivals. The festival reemerged in 2022 in partnership with Creative Hub Worcester.

The final event in 2024 will be held Sept. 15 featuring some 250 artisans, performers, interactive demonstrators, nonprofits and food vendors. The holiday season stART at the Station at Union Station will also happen this year on Dec. 8 — the official final call for stART.

"stART has always been more than just a showcase of art; it's a vibrant celebration of creativity and joy. The connections we've made, and most importantly, the unforgettable memories we've created together, will always be a part of us," festival founder Stacy Lord said.

Organizers are still recruiting volunteers and accepting donations for the final two events.