Last day of Mayfair

May 27, 2008 in Allentown News, from the Morning Call
Tags: mayfair, Video Games

This was my attempt at putting a harder edge on what has become a cushy story for me. This time I’ll try the Chris Wink thing, full text posted below. Published in the Morning Call 5/27/08.

High attendance rewards Mayfair officials’ high hopes

But some fear arts festival is pushing arts into the background 

 The warm weather continued at Cedar Beach for the Mayfair Festival of the Arts’ final day, closing a long weekend in which turnout — and with it success or failure — often hinges on the forecast.

Attendance was ”way up,” according to Executive Director Terry Glennon, although official attendance figures won’t be available for several days. Last year, as in other previous years, deluges drove away both patrons and some artists.

On Monday, the clear weather continued, drawing large crowds on what is historically Mayfair’s least popular day. While many visitors chose the Artists Market over the main stages, fans crowded into the Cabaret Courtyard stage for the return of the Allentown Band, ending a one-year absence.

”The weather had everything to do with it,” Susan Blair of Allentown said of the fair’s large attendance.

 Blair had just tried Wii Fit, a video game that was the surprising hit of the festival. But for her and many other visitors, Mayfair is first and foremost an art show.

Some artists fear that the Artists Market, Mayfair’s first attraction, is taking a back seat to music and entertainment. Charging general admission and unpredictable weather may have driven away fine artists and patrons in the last few years.

”Originally, it was all about the art,” said Peg Miller, an artist who’s been showing her handmade jewelry at Mayfair for 15 years. ”When it started, there were, like, 130 artists. Strictly fine art.”

The theme of this year’s festival was ”Art & Soul.”

But its soul, the artists, were not as prevalent as last year.The number of craft vendors was down to 79 from 90 last year, according to festival listings. ”If nobody’s buying,” Blair said, ”they probably won’t come back.”

Miller said her clients are dismayed by the selection at Mayfair.

”I do a lot of fine art shows,” Miller said. ”I’ve heard clients say that they’re upset with the number and quality of artists this year.”

Vendors have remained opposed to the fair charging general admission, Glennon said. While a $5 pass was good for admission all weekend, up until 2005, it was free to enter Mayfair.

”Ever since we put the gate up [in 2005] the artists haven’t liked it,” Glennon said. ”But we try to boost attendance and hopefully more people will stop by when they’re walking through.”

In spite of the decline, artists and other vendors benefited from favorable weather this year. While last year’s showers may have driven patrons away, warm weather kept them coming back all weekend.

Paul Grecian, a nature photographer doing the show for the first time, said he was pleasantly surprised by the weather and turnout.

”The crowds have been great,” Grecian said. ”I think the weather helped that.”

Glennon said his priority as executive director is to increase attendance. Through new programs such as the German-themed Sommerfest, and free admission for military personnel, he hopes to draw more attention to what has historically been a hometown affair.

”No matter how it happens, we’re trying to build new things,” Glennon said. ”I hope the artists are seeing results. I hope they do better.”

But Miller said that artists and craftsmen will need more accommodation to keep the soul of this arts festival alive.

”I would like to come back,” Miller said. ”Hopefully the quality of art will remain high.”