Upper Arlington's Labor Day Arts Festival turns 60 this year, bringing more than 15,000 visitors to Northam Park on Sept. 7, for a full day of live music, juried fine art and hands-on activities.
The festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2850 Tremont Road, rain or shine.
Organized by the UA Parks & Recreation department and a volunteer coordinating committee, the event has drawn crowds to the Tremont Road corridor every Labor Day since 1966, according to the city's festival announcement. More than 120 artists, selected through a competitive blind jury process, will exhibit and sell paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture and mixed media in the parking lot between the UA Public Library, Tremont Elementary School and Tremont Pool.
Music lineup
The main-stage UA Performance Series schedule:
- 11 a.m. — Chaz and Nicki with Hangtime
- 12:30 p.m. — Blue Spectrum
- 2 p.m. — Donna Mogavero & The Spirit Lifters
- 3:30 p.m. — Long Play
Donna Mogavero and her band take the stage mid-afternoon, with Long Play closing out the main stage at 3:30 p.m. Street performers roaming the grounds include the UA Marching Band, Amazing Giants Stilt Walkers, Columbus Fashion Academy Puppet Show and Saavan Arora.
Art activities
The Art Activities Area offers projects for all ages: felted mushrooms, face painting, fabric puppets, Lego block printmaking, community weaving and storytelling, painted rocks, and a toddler music tent for children 6 months to 5 years old. Food trucks will be on site throughout the day.
Getting there
Tremont Road closes from Ridgeview Road to Northam Road between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Additional parking restrictions apply on Farleigh Road, Dorset Road, Northam Road and Tremont Road.
The city is offering several alternatives to driving:
- Free shuttle: Runs from Wellington School, 3650 Reed Road, approximately every 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Free bike valet: Located near Tremont Elementary.
- COTA Bus Line 3: Stops at Northwest Boulevard and Northam Road (Stop ID 2853/3781), about a 10-minute walk from the festival.
- Ride-share drop-off: Tremont and Northam or Tremont and Ridgeview intersections.
- Accessible parking: Reserved spaces at Tremont Center, accessible from Redding Road.
The Tremont Library will be closed Sept. 6 and Sept. 7; the drive-up book drop will not be available those days.
Volunteers still needed
Volunteer shifts run from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., with slots available before, during and after the festival. All volunteers receive a free festival T-shirt. Volunteers under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Sign-up details are on the city's festival page.
Upcoming community dates
- Friday, Aug. 28–Sunday, Aug. 30: Tremont Pool operates on reduced hours as staff return to school.
- Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day Arts Festival, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Northam Park.
