The 32nd Annual Salisbury Festival will take place April 25-27, 2014 in Downtown Salisbury. Hosted by the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, there will be something for everyone at this three-day festival packed full of dozens of activities.
The 2014 Salisbury Festival is presented by Toyota, Comcast, as well as FROGGY 99.9, Q105, KISS 95.9, and MAGIC 98.9. The support from these sponsors will help the Chamber in delivering an exciting weekend of family fun and entertainment for the community.
The purpose of the Salisbury Festival is to promote Downtown Salisbury as the heart of our town, emphasizing that it plays a vital role in enhancing the social, cultural, and economic life of the community. The festival will continue to focus on supporting local non-profit organizations as well as members of the Salisbury Chamber, providing fun activities and entertainment for people of all ages, and highlighting the businesses in the Salisbury area.
As a community tradition on the Eastern Shore, the Salisbury Festival will continue to offer many of the activities that everyone has come to enjoy each year. This includes the Friday Night Block Party, sponsored by Pepsi, on April 25th from 4:00-10:00 pm. New this year, the Block Party will be centralized along North Division and East Main Street, with multiple food vendors, live entertainment all night long, beer garden, and much more. The opening ceremony and ribbon cutting will begin at 6 p.m. to kick off the weekend’s festivities. Lower Case Blues, a trio of musicians that play a new fusion of blues, funk, and rock, will take the stage from 7:30 – 10:00 pm.
The carnival will also be open from 4:00-10:00 pm for families to enjoy numerous rides and games.
Saturday’s festivities will include the always popular market in the parking lot in front of the State Office Complex off of Route 13. This market offers something for everyone including antiques, collectibles, yard sale items, produce, plants, and much more.
Stroll through the Arts on the Plaza, sponsored by Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, on Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm and visit the local crafters, artisans, as well as a full schedule of live entertainment all day on the Flag Stage.
Salisbury University’s Art War will take place again this year during Arts on the Plaza at the SU Art Galleries Downtown Campus. Local and regional artists will battle it out for cash and prizes, going brush to brush as festival attendees decide their fate.
Arts on the Plaza will host a number of other activities on Saturday including “Memories of Downtown.” Artist Susan Holt will present a fabric sculpture capturing personal experiences and memories of Downtown Salisbury. Also on the Plaza, University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Fine Arts students will create a mural honoring Nelson Mandela, entitled “Reconstructing Mandela.”
Children’s activities abound at this year’s festival include the return of “It Takes a Village.” Stop by the west end of the Downtown Plaza to enjoy FREE children’s activities including face painting, a scavenger hunt, crafts, puppets, and much more. This event is sponsored by the Wicomico Partnership for Families & Children with funding from the MD Governor’s Office for Children and Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Committee.
Main Street Marketplace will host dozens of local non-profit organizations and commercial exhibitors with displays and activities. Make sure to visit the many shops and restaurants downtown throughout the weekend as well.
The Shore Fresh Growers Farmer’s Market will also be set up on Saturday along East Main Street. Local growers/producers will have various fresh seasonal produce, homemade jams & salsas, soy candles, herb plants, fresh baked goods, and more!
The International Beer Festival will return this year on Saturday, April 26th from 4:00-8:00 pm along N. Division and East Main Street. Sample and learn about dozens of beers from around the world! Tickets for the International Beer Festival are $25/person prior to the event and $30/person at the door. Entertainment will be provided by Bryan Russo & The Tragic Figures. Tickets are available at the Irish Penny Pub & Grill, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and online at www.salisburyfestival.com.
A new event this year will be the Salisbury Festival Twilight Criterium. The SACC, in conjunction with Shore Velocity Cycling will host this first annual event in which
bicyclists will race through Downtown Salisbury on a closed circuit course approximately half a mile in length. Multiple categories of racers will have the opportunity to take the course throughout the evening beginning at 6:00 pm. Each race will consist of multiple laps around the track and will range from 30-60 minutes. Come watch the regions fastest cyclists and cheer them on along the course route.
The Carnival will remain open on Sunday from Noon-5 pm, with wristbands available for purchase to ride all day for one low fee.
Special thanks to all of our festival sponsors including Toyota, Comcast, FROGGY 99.9, Q105, KISS 95.9, and MAGIC 98.9, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, Pepsi, and Hebron Savings Bank.
