Bloomington’s annual 4th Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts returns for its 46th year this weekend with 120 artists, spoken word poetry and live music.
Construction on Fourth Street was mostly completed just before the event, save for the northwest corner of Fourth and Grant. Organizers expect the festival will attract over 40,000 visitors – about the same as before the pandemic.
The festival is almost entirely volunteer-run with only three part-time staff members. Sidney Bolam, President of the Volunteer Committee, said that the festival will be accepting new volunteers throughout the weekend.
“If people have time or other skills to contribute, 4th Street Festival would be excited to have them on board,” Bolam said.
Volunteers can register for shifts on 4thstreet.org.
The weather forecast predicts thunderstorms throughout Labor Day weekend, but Bolam said the festival will remain open regardless of conditions.
“We always have our festival rain or shine,” Bolam said. “These are lifelong professional art fair artists, so they’re well-equipped to handle some weather.”
The festival will take place on Fourth Street between Grand and Indiana, Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
