Upper Arlington's longest-running community tradition hits a milestone this fall, and the city needs about 100 volunteers to pull it off.
The 60th annual Labor Day Arts Festival returns to Northam Park on Sept. 7, with free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 15,000 visitors are expected to browse work from 120-plus juried artists, watch live performances and take part in hands-on art activities in the grounds between the UA Public Library, Tremont Elementary and Tremont Pool.
The city posted a volunteer call on Aug. 3, with shifts running from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Roles include helping artists set up and break down, staffing activity stations and greeting visitors at entry points. Everyone who volunteers gets a free festival T-shirt. Residents under 15 can sign up but must be accompanied by an adult.
Jodi Hatfield, manager of the Cultural Arts Division, is the point of contact for volunteer questions at 614-583-5312 or [email protected].
What to expect
The festival began in 1966. It features artists working in paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, sculpture and mixed media, plus five reserved spaces for emerging artists from Franklin County. Live music fills a Main Stage and a Reading Garden Stage inside Tremont Library, with roaming performers throughout the grounds. Food trucks and community organization booths round out the day.
The 2026 performance lineup has not been announced. The city's festival page will post updates as they're confirmed.
Artists averaged $3,000 in sales at the festival based on the 2023 and 2024 artist survey. One exhibitor who showed work in 2024 wrote on the city's festival page that it was "my best one day show to date with doing shows for over 10 years."
Getting there
Tremont Road between Ridgeview Road and Northam Road will be closed on festival day. Free shuttles run from Wellington School, 3650 Reed Road, approximately every 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. A free bike valet is available near the library on Tremont Road.
Upcoming community events
- Saturday, Aug. 29: Grandview Hop on Grandview Avenue, 5–9 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day Arts Festival at Northam Park, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 4: Fall Fest (details to be announced by UA Parks & Recreation)
- Wednesdays, 3–6 p.m.: Upper Arlington Farmers Market, Dorset Road at Tremont Center
