Artists, Vendors Sought for Riverdale Park's ArtsFest2012

Applications for artists and vendors seeking to participate in Riverdale Park's ArtsFest2012 are due this Sunday, April 15.

Interested parties should fill out this form and mail it to the Riverdale Park Arts Council address listed at the top. Fees will increase and space may become unavailable after the deadline.

For more information, visit RPAC's website or email RPArtsCouncil@gmail.com.

Below is a rundown from RPAC of this year's festival:

ArtsFest2012, the fifth annual arts and music festival set for Sunday, May 6, 11 am to 6 pm in Town Center, presented by the Riverdale Park Arts Council, will feature more than three dozen artists and vendors along with a handful of musical groups.

Returning to the RPAC soundstage will be Oldies band Wayne Brown & 2nd Conspiracy, bassist Andrew Brown and the jazz-infused, Americana-marinated Alternative-Pop Brulee. Troubadour Eduardo Sanchez returns with a reconstituted six-member troop playing authentic, upbeat regional Mexican rhythm. One String Willie returns with string instrument-making workshops members of the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation perform throughout the day.

All News WTOP-FM personality David Burd will again emcee the day’s events delivering interviews with artists, musicians and local notables. A Feb. 12 article in The Washington Post cited Burd, a 28-year Washington radio legend, for his “wit and personality,” a rare but welcomed trait at an All-News radio station.

Chris Benjamin, who comes from a long line of railroad men and who is Riverdale Park’s chief model railroad enthusiast, will have several sets of trains operating on a near-100-foot course.

ArtsFest2011 attracted 650 festival goers who took advantage of the wide variety of artist’s unique wares, getting great deals in advance of Mother’s Day. And many attendees danced to lively musical performances until the sunset.

“As usual I loved it. The location is excellent,” artist Australia Worsley said after last year’s festival. “Of all things, I hope that you do not change that. The volunteers are always friendly and helpful. As a vendor, I look forward to always coming back, so do my family and friends. They love it. And I get a chance to meet a lot of great people.”

Mark your calendars now for Sunday, May 6, 11 am to 6 pm in Town Center. There are a number of high-profile sponsorship opportunities for businesses, schools and non-profit organizations so contact Director of Sponsorships, Tracey Toscano at 301-706-5706, or traceyjt@gmail.com.