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Cambridge Arts Festival: Where Art and Technology Collide

As the home of a variety of large community events and diverse cultural attractions, Cambridge is the perfect spot for a relaxing Ontario getaway. Art fans will love the Cambridge Centre for the Arts, which offers exhibits featuring regional artists and unique special events. Travelers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to dive into the local culinary scene at locations such as Cambridge Mill, Langdon Hall, and Little Louie's Burger Joint and Soupery.

 

Cambridge Arts Festival has been showcasing some of the best art in Southwestern Ontario since its inception 22 years ago. This year’s festival will take place July 22 at Cambridge City Hall in Downtown Cambridge. The event will feature an art market with more than 70 artists selling a variety of handmade items, as well as interacting one-on-one with attendees. Patrons will encounter a Maker Lab event, where people can create things like circuits and robot parts using 3D printers and other advanced technology. The festival will also feature a variety of food trucks and local restaurants, and local musicians will play live throughout. Families will love the selection of kids activities including making arts and crafts, assembling robots, and more. We got the opportunity to interview Megan Mensink, a representative of the festival, to learn more about this all-ages art event.

 

RAL: How long has the event been running?

MM: Cambridge Arts Festival will be celebrating its 22nd year this summer.

 

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?

MM: 2017 marks the biggest year yet, with over 70+ vendors participating in the festival. We hope to draw a crowd of over 5,000 people!

 

RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?

MM: The fantastic thing about the Cambridge Arts Festival is that it's a free event everyone can enjoy. There are many fun, free, and unique activities for children to participate in such as robot making, 3D printing, arts, and crafts. However, this isn't just for children and families -- the art market is perfect for anyone who wants to come and check out what the art community in Cambridge has to offer. There will also be live music featuring a variety of local musical acts.

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?

MM: The Cambridge Arts Festival offers the biggest Maker Lab event in Cambridge and is one of the biggest in Kitchener/Waterloo. What is a Maker Lab? It is where the arts meet technology with creative activities for makers of all ages. Established in 2014, our Maker Lab has now become known throughout the region. This year, the Maker Lab is growing with even more creative technology and environmental themed activities including robot assemblage, interactive video art, 3D printers, simple circuits lab, and more!

 

RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.

MM: There are activities for everyone to enjoy. For children, there will be face painting, nature-themed arts and crafts, balloons, magic, as well as the aforementioned Maker Lab. Family-friendly musical acts will be playing all day in front of city hall, with tables and umbrellas set up for everyone to use. Booths will line Dickson Street and City Hall, showcasing fine art and works from local artisans for purchase!

 

RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?

MM: There will be food trucks present the day of the event as well as local establishments that have great food and atmospheres to explore!

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

MM: A few options include The Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, Best Western Plus Cambridge Hotel, and Hilton Garden Inn Hotel.

 

RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?

MM: Galt is a beautiful little community in Cambridge, Ontario, that has plenty to offer. Not only is it visually stunning, but it also has many hidden gems that are worth checking out. In addition to the festivities, make sure to stroll the streets and do a little shopping. Whether you are looking for home decor and furniture, Iris Arts and Cornerstone are a must. For casual bites to eat check out EVO Kitchen and Monigram Coffee Roasters. Grab some authentic Portuguese Donuts from Malasada World, or enjoy a healthy beverage from Galt Juice Company. If you are looking for something a little fancier, The Old Mill is always a fantastic place to indulge in amazing cuisine and take in spectacular views of the water!

 

RAL: Does the event support a particular cause in the community?

MM: The event is all about community engagement. It gives local artists a platform to showcase their fantastic goods and is a venue for the community to come out, show their support, and to shop local!

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

MM: The Cambridge Arts Festival is a unique event that is designed for every member of the community and will showcase all of the amazing things Cambridge has to offer!


For more information about the Cambridge Arts Festival, please visit the event website.