Forest Grove Festival of the Arts to finish first season in downtown

The 2024 Forest Grove Festival of the Arts is wrapping up its inaugural season in downtown with a night of performances, exhibits and participation.

Scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, the final evening of the free event bridges the gap between local art and community within a three-block radius of Main Street, where residents can immerse themselves in music, dance, theater and other forms of art.

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s first-ever Forest Grove Festival of the Arts and our partnership with the Adelante Mujeres Farmers Market to bring more than 60 free performances, exhibits, and arts-related activities to our community this season,” Linda Taylor, member of the Forest Grove Public Arts Commission, said in a release.

Nineteenth Avenue will be the center of action, where attendees can explore heritage arts through a “petting zoo” at the Old Train Station Museum and check out an open house at Forest Grove Dance Arts. Acoustic group Rogue Moon will perform at Waltz Brewing, while the grooves of Pluto Roux will ring from the back deck of Gann Brothers Printing. Additionally, residents can get creative during a “Teeny Weeny” watercolor paint drop-in at Artingales.

Community members are also invited to participate in activities hosted by other local businesses, including at A Framer’s Touch, Green Heron Book Arts and Gann Brothers Printing.

Taking the spotlight on Main Street, Luc DeLorenzo & Richie Bean will perform on the Market Stage, while Writers in the Grove will present their works at the Forest Grove City Library. Attendees can also catch a puppet theater and craft at the Forest Grove Festival of the Arts booth on Main Street.

The festival began through a collaboration between the public arts commission and Adelante Mujeres to foster artistic expression and draw people to the farmers market on the first Wednesday of each month. Community organizers plan to meet Tuesday, Aug. 27, to consider whether to continue the festival next year.