by Dagmar Cianelli
The Delaware Arts Festival celebrates 51 years of family fun. It starts May 16-17 2026 in Historic Downtown Delaware. Festival hours are Saturday 11 am-7:30 pm and Sunday 10 am-5:00 pm. Kicking off The Delaware Arts Festival on Saturday at 11:00 am the Delaware Hayes band will march north on Sandusky Street from William Street to Central Avenue.
Artists, local and from coast to coast, are displaying their unique creations on North Sandusky Street, also on East and West Winter Streets. Exhibits include watercolor, oil paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, tie-dye shirts, leather art and much more. The 173 exhibiting artists compete for prizes including cash purses and ribbons. Independent judges will select winners for first place, second, third place and best of show. Winning art works are based on originality, creativity and skill.
A Flex bus, located at 145 Union St. behind the Delaware County Court House, provides festival visitors with round trip shuttle service from Union Street to the William and Sandusky Streets drop-off.
Event profits benefit the art festival's $25,000 scholarship program. Recipients are three Delaware County senior high school art students looking to further their art education. In addition, the festival also provides art grants, totaling $10,000, to eligible Delaware County art teachers and local non profit organizations.
This year's scholarship winners are; first place Alex Shelato, Olentangy High School; interested in Bowling Green University. Second place, Madison Quinn Bordine, Olentangy High School; interested in Belmont University, Bowling Green University or Montserrat College of Art. Third place Amryn Garza, Olentangy Berlin High School; interested in Cleveland Institute of Art or Art Institute of Chicago.
The scholarship awards ceremony is being held Saturday, 12 noon, May 16 at the South Sandusky Street stage. Presiding over the ceremony is Judge David Hejmanowski, Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division. Winners' art works are displayed June 1-30 at the Delaware Main Library, 84 East Winter Street.
No one goes hungry at this art festival. Food trucks, on South Sandusky Street, will satisfy every taste. Trucks include, Schmidt's sausages, Chester's Concessions, Rismillers, Lumpia Queen, Chef Shack, Kent's Kone, Hull's Concessions, G & G Concessions and Dan's Deli.
Toe tapping music starts Saturday afternoon 12:45 pm on the South Sandusky Street stage. Included are favorites such as the Gooseboys, Nacho Street Band and Thirsty Travelers. Musical entertainment for Sunday starts at 10:00 am, in the intersection of Sandusky and Winter Streets. Featuring music by the Delaware Hayes Orchestra, COSO Symphony and saxophone player Colton. Talents, from Jungle Gym gymnastic, finish off the morning. Sunday bands performing on stage, beginning 11:30 am, are Korey Black, Blue Limestone Project and Lucky Penny Sisters.
Additional entertainment, starting 1:30 pm till 2:30 pm both days, are The Amazing Giants. Stilt walkers meandering and greeting visitors through out the festival. Adding to the festivities is Carroll Baker, magician extraordinaire. He performs Sunday on stage from 3 pm-3:30 pm, then strolling around the festival amazing visitors with his sleight of hand.
Delaware County resident, Bronwyn Workman said, “The Delaware Arts Festival is always a great time...lots of art to view (and buy!), great music, lots of delicious food options and a chance to visit with friends you meet while browsing.”
The festival committee thanks the following corporate sponsors who ensure the success of this event: The Delaware Gazette, Leaf Filter Gutter Protection, Cutco, Bath Experts, Renewal by Andersen, Infinity by Marvin, America's Best Windows and Doors, State Farm, Window Nation and AARP Ohio.
Delaware Arts Festival president, Mark Hardymon added, “We would especially like to thank the City of Delaware for all their help and support to make this such a special event in Delaware County”.
As always, volunteers are needed; the more the better. Reach us at volunteers@delawarefestival.com.
Visit our website, delawareartsfestival.org