Much to Take in at Art Fair on Square, Then Street Dance

One of my favorite Saturdays in August is the Art Fair on the Square.

It’s when juried artists near and far show and sell their art on the Historic Hamilton County Courthouse Square.

There is always lots to take in at the Art Fair.

It’s a good event to see lots of artists in one place. Many local artists as well as artists from across the state, will show and sell their work.

The Art Fair on the Square is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.

There are more than 60 talented artists from across the region featuring oils, watercolor, pastels, pottery, handcrafted jewelry, stained glass and photography. There will be art demonstrations, live music, interactive exhibits and family fun.

Sue Payne, the most recent past president of HCAA, has been spinning and weaving for 40 years and was fortunate to learn the craft from “incredible weavers” at Conner Prairie, where she is a member of the textiles staff and leads the museum’s youth spinning program, in its 19th year. She will bring some of her Conner Prairie youth volunteers on Saturday to demonstrate the art.

The HCCA tent will feature several HCAA artists traditionally on the north side of the Square during this Art Fair on the Square.

I’ve attended the Fair many times. And there is an amazing display of paintings, abstract acrylics, pastels, photography, wearable art, jewelry in all shapes and metals and lots of interesting pottery.

But this year, the day is going to be even bigger. In fact, the HCAA is calling the day a “double header.”

Not only because the HCAA encourages folks who are heading out to the Saturday morning Noblesville Farmers Market to also visit the Art Fair on the Square. But also because when Art Fair on the Square ends at 4 p.m., there will only be a two-hour break until Noblesville Street Dance kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. on the Square. Many of the artists will still be set up into the evening.

Noblesville Main Street’s annual dance that was once a mid-July tradition, was moved up to the beginning of June in 2021, and then moved to Aug. 6 earlier this year.

The Street Dance, this year sponsored by Riverview Health, is a family-friendly event featuring food, drinks, live music, local vendors and more in historic downtown Noblesville. This year’s event features a touch-a-truck (and tractor) event, sponsored by Reynolds Farm Equipment. An ice-cream eating contest will begin at 7:15 p.m., with signup at the orange Noblesville Main Street tent.

The weather forecast for Saturday is 85 F and mostly sunny. So it will be a great time to take in the sunshine, shopping, beautiful art and great food around Noblesville’s lovely Courthouse Square, then hang out and stay around for the Noblesville Street Dance.

There is always something interesting going on at HCAA’s Birdie Gallery, 195 S. Fifth St., Noblesville. Upcoming events include: Paint a still life with artist Pam Newell on Aug. 13-14; Paint portraits from photos with artist Stephanie Spay on Oct. 15-16; and Making Watercolors Work for You, with Stephen Edwards, Sept. 15-16.

The HCAA invites all photographers to enter the 2022 Open Lens photography competition in its seventh year, with entries due by Oct. 1.

HCAA is always looking for sponsors for its 501(c)(3) organization and Art Fair on the Square.

The weekend will kick off with Noblesville Main Street’s Music & All That Jazz, sponsored by Gordon Insurance partners, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, featuring the David Hartman Band, followed by dancing, food and libations at Noble Coffee & Tea’s Salsa on the Square event from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Parking for these events is available in the new Levinson parking garage at Eighth and Maple, and at the even newer Hamilton County Parking Garage at Eighth and Clinton streets.

All of these events take place on the Courthouse Square, such a beautiful, wonderful place for people to enjoy.

Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com