NORWAY — Each year on the second Saturday in July, the historic downtown of Norway begins the day with a silent and empty street that swells into a vibrant gathering filled with joy and art. This annual event aims to celebrate the thriving creative community in the western foothills by joining the works of art vendors and performance artists with the rooted local businesses and organizations. The NMAAF returns to downtown Main Street this Saturday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rain date is set for the following day, July 9.

During the festival, which has been ongoing since 1967, you can expect to spend the day wandering the historic district to enjoy 3 unique performance stages’ programming: Longley Square Park will include kids’ crafts with Bethel Area Arts and Music, hoop jams and circus performances with the Nevaeh Dance Circus, and more.

The main music stage near the Norway Savings Bank call center will be hosting musicians from all over Maine including Midnight Breakfast, the Shank Painters pirate band, and more. The OHMPAA theater stage will be hosting performers from local theater troupes. The arts festival will also feature a community art project curated by local art gallery and sponsor Lights Out, roving circus performers, and a colorful parade at noon around the length of the closed-off street that all are welcome to join.

In 2022 several Main St. businesses such as The Woods Shop, Fiber & Vine, and Widdershins Antiques engaged with the creative spirit of the festival and integrated pieces of their store onto the street, making eye-catching displays while enjoying the festival and connecting with attendees.

This year, many local businesses will be providing unique programming and artist spotlights during the festival. The Weary Club will be selling cookbooks on their front porch, Norway Brewing Co. will have music programming in the beer garden and artists featured inside, 290 Maine St. will have live music on their outdoor patio, Western Maine Art Group will have a juried art show on the lawn of the Matolcsy Art Center, the UU Church will be holding an art exhibit in their dining hall, the Historical Society will have their Magnolia Tea Room open, the Norway Opera House Association will be giving tours of the second and third floors of the opera house, and the Norway Memorial Library will be holding a Maine author themed book sale at the Gingerbread House.

Jess Cooper, Norway resident and executive director of Creative Norway, works alongside co-founding board member Nettie Gentempo year-round to build the programming for the arts festival. She shares, “Our goal is to provide joyful free programming that anyone can enjoy while also creating a unique opportunity for artists of all ages and kinds to share their talents and passions with the community.” This event serves as a fundraiser to help sustain scholarships for local residents who wish to take part in the non-profit’s year-round class programming.

Creative Norway thanks major sponsors Norway Savings Bank, Lights Out Gallery, Renewal by Anderson, and Bethel Area Arts and Music for their collaboration on the festival. To learn more about the sponsors, find more information about this annual event, see maps and schedules of the festival, or to volunteer, please follow the Norway Music and Arts Festival page on Facebook, go to www.nmaaf.org, or email creativenorwayme@gmail.com.

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