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About

The Fine Arts Fiesta - About & History

The third week in May for the last 67 years the annual Fine Arts Fiesta arts festival is held!

When Annette Evans with the assistance of Al Groh started the Fiesta so many years ago , it consisted of a handful of artists and performers with some even coming from New York City, Philadelphia and beyond.. Their idea was simply to bring fine visual and performing arts to the people who might not otherwise might not have  an opportunity at hand to experience them.

Today, that simple idea has continued to expand and grow to include many professional artists, craftspersons, musicians, dancers, poets, theater artists and international talents.

Presenting also two juried visual art showcases including all works of media and photography by regional adult and student artists professionally presented.

Children  are validly entertained for free with puppet shows, face painting, a strolling mime, music, a clown as well with many make and take opportunities, story telling  and visits with Mother Goose.

Family members of all ages will enjoy an amazing culinary variety of food to satisfy every appetite with a sumptuous food court.

.Many local multi discipline performing arts organizations and groups are also given the opportunity to share their talents and expertise with the community on the main stage throughout the four days.

The Fine Arts Fiesta is the finest and the oldest arts festival in Pennsylvania. The Board of Directors works throughout the year to organize this major event and is a 501C3 Not For Profit.

Without the help and support of hundreds of volunteers, the city of Wilkes-Barre and Mayor George Brown, it would be impossible to present the Fine Arts Fiesta annually.  The ongoing generosity of the many foundations, individual donors, in kind contributors and sponsors that support the mission and vision of bringing Fiesta to downtown Wilkes-Barre every year are to be commended and also supported.

The Fine Arts Fiesta is truly one of the best on going family events in Northeastern Pennsylvania! Since it’s humble beginnings there is never an admission fee and all entertainment, children’s activities, artist’s market, and exhibitions are free of charge.

 

The 2024 Fine Arts Fiesta: “ Peace of Art!”  is May 16, 17, 18 and 19

See you there on Public Square, Wilkes- Barre Pennsylvania.

 

Past Headliners

Tuck & Patty

Allison Krause & the Union Station Band

John Hartford

The Seldom Scene

Mary Wilson of the Supremes

Herb Reed’s Platters

Red Clay Ramblers

Miles Davis (presented at the F.M. Kirby Center)

John Sebastian (presented at the F.M. Kirby Center)

Baltimore Consort

Leon Redbone

Taj Mahal

Stanley Jordan

Martha Reeves & the Original Vandellas (presented in Kirby Park)

Gary U.S. Bonds

Melanie

Shirley Alston Reeves, original lead singer of the Shirells

The Uppity Blues Women

Maestro Giacomo Simonelli

The Original Tymes

Richie Havens

The Exciting Stevens Singers

Martha Reeves & the Sister Vandellas                                                                                                  

Baltimore Consort (at Luzerne County Courthouse)                                                                                 

Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women

Dry Branch Fire Squad

Julius la Rosa

Tom Rush

Phil Giordano Jazz Orchestra

Jay Proctor of Jay & the Techniques

The Original Box Tops

Ishangi Family African Dancers & Drummers

Sister Sadie & the Famous Biblettes

The Vogues

Nina Chen Chinese Dancers

Cabinet

Leslie Gore

New York State Opera Company
Frank Shiner

Dixie Humming Birds

Phil Giordano Jazz Band

XCLUSIVE Soul

Marshall Crenshaw

Martha Davis & The Motels

Lucky Chops

PAST HOWARD B FEDRICK FRIEND OF THE ARTS AWARD WINNERS

 1997 Ken Marquis

1998 Kevin and Helen McDonald

1998 Al Groh

1999 Ruth Schooley

2000 Dr. Robert S. Anderson

2001 Roger Lacy

2002 William Hogan Sr. and Sons

2003 Murray Popky

2004 Lee Vincent

2005 Wyoming Valley Art League

2006 The City of Wilkes-Barre and Pat McHugh

2007 The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre

2008 Tom and Dorothy Womelsdorf & Family

2009 Alan and Robert Finley

2010 The Osterhout Free Library and Brian J. Benedetti

2011 Mary Ellen Fowler, Flossie The Fiesta Clown

2012 Charles Barber/The Luzerne Foundation

2013 Irem Shrine Stewards and Dorothy Carr

2014 David, Natalia, and Julia Kerr

2015 Micky Nieman

2016 Jane Lampe Groh and Gina Prokop-Malsky

2017 Esther and Bill Davidowitz

2018 The Sordoni Family

2019 Irene Muldoon

2020 Debbie Grossman

2021 Joel Zitofsky

2022 Gus Genetti Jr.

2022 Eileen Carlin Halsey (posthumously)

2023 The Maslow Family Foundation

THE ROBERT S. ANDERSON SOCIETY

This society is dedicated in the name of Robert S. Anderson, M.D. a generous patron to the Fine Arts Fiesta. Created in recognition for all those that have contributed over $25,000.00 to the Fine Arts Fiesta in a non specified amount of time. This noted generosity makes our mission and annual cultural tradition ongoing and possible. We salute Dr. Anderson and all society members for both past and continued support. All true champions of the arts and their community.

The Yellow Zinnia Fund

Jane Lampe Groh Trust

Annette Evans Foundation for the Arts & Humanities

Marquis George MacDonald Foundation

The Luzerne Foundation

Pennsylvania Council for the Arts

Wilkes-Barre City

Edith R. Reynolds Trust

Visit Luzerne County/Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sordoni Foundation

The Citizens’ Voice/Times Shamrock

Boscov’s

The Times Leader

Wilkes University

Robert S. Anderson, M.D.

                                            

Board of Directors 2023

OFFICERS

 

Mary Anne Fedrick Ph.D

President

 

Susan Braden

First Vice President

 

Joel Zitofsky

Second Vice President

 

Gary T. Womelsdorf

Corresponding Secretary

 

Ann Saxton

Recording Secretary

 

Ronald Woznock, CPA
Treasurer

 

Carmen F. Magistro

Assistant Treasurer

 

Donald M. Kronick, CPA

Advisor

 

Debbie Grossman

Immediate Past President

 

BOARD

 

Micky Nieman

Sara Borland Esq.

Kevin Womelsdorf RPh.

Kathy Bozinski

David Kerr

Darlene Smith

Anne Rodella

Joanna Bryn Smith Esq.

Carl Acchammer, Jr.

Gina Malsky

Grayson Rogers

 

Brian J. Benedetti

Executive Director

 

Correspondence and contributions are always welcome through our website www.fineartsfiesta.org  or mail: Fine Arts Fiesta, P.O. Box 2053 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703-2053