Festival season in Grove City wouldn’t be complete without one of its longest-running and most beloved celebrations, Arts in the Alley.
Taking place on the cusp of fall, the festival is entering its 47th year with attractions such as juried art competitions, exhibitions, live music, food trucks, craft vendors and a devoted Kids’ Fun Street.
Arts in the Alley will run Sept. 18-20 in the walkable Town Center, so it’s just a hop, skip and jump away to shop at local boutiques and sample the flavors of Grove City.
Festival hours will be 5-8 p.m. Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 19, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20. Admission is free.
An estimated 35,000 attendees flocked
to the historic Town Center for the festival in 2025, according to Shawn Conrad, president of the Grove City Chamber of Commerce.
Many onlookers are expected to line the streets for the Arts in the Alley Community Parade, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 19.
The procession will leave from Southwest Boulevard and Broadway (US 62) and make its way south on Broadway to Park Street, where it will turn west and continue to the end of the route.
The community parade debuted in 1990, inspired by the Grove City High School Marching Band’s invitation to perform in the Rose Parade.
Spectators can also see who will be named “The Voice of Grove City” at the festival’s seventh annual singing competition. Twenty finalists chosen from online auditions will vie for trophies and cash prizes, including a top award of $2,000. The contest is set for 1 p.m. Sept. 19.
Specialty art shows will take place throughout the festival's run, with ribbons and cash prizes awarded. Displayed works will include crafts, fine art, easel art, photography, quilts and youth art.
Visit gcchamber.org/arts for more details about Arts in the Alley and “The Voice of Grove City.”
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Grove City festival brings art and music to town
