Augusta’s annual Arts in the Heart festival will be back in full swing in a few weeks and there is optimism that the first post-pandemic event will draw a big crowd.
This year’s Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival will be held Sept. 16-18 in the Augusta Common, as well as the 600-900 blocks of Broad Street. The annual festival, which is hosted by the Greater Augusta Arts Council, is now in its 40th year. This year’s sponsors include Durty Gurl Cocktail Mixers, TranterGrey, and SRP Federal Credit Union.
Brenda Durant, the Arts Council’s Executive Director, hopes this year’s attendance matches pre-covid years.
“We hope to get back to our 2018 and 2019 mode when 80,000 people came through the gates in 2-1/2 days,” she said.
There will be more for patrons to see as well.
“We’ve designed a 40th-anniversary logo and expanded the festival to the 600 Block of Broad Street,” Durant said.
The event will include five stages of live entertainment featuring various performances, including jazz, dance, and musical theatre. The Global Food Village will include 18 booths representing countries throughout the world, such as China, Greece, Italy, and India.
Vendors in the Fine Arts & Crafts Market will sell photography, paintings, clothing, and jewelry, among other products. The festival also includes activities for children, including the Young Artists Market.
Advance badges cost $12 each, and throughout the festival, they can be purchased at the gates or online for $15 each. Children 10 and under get in free. Badges are currently for sale at various CSRA locations, including Richmond County Tag Offices, Vintage Ooollee, and New Moon in Aiken.
For more information, visit artsintheheartofaugusta.com/.
