WORCESTER – The organizers of the stART on the Street festival will hold the 20th and final annual event on Park Avenue in Worcester on Sept. 15. The rain date is Sept. 22.
The annual arts and music festival hosts live performances and hundreds of booths that include artists, non-profits, and vendors providing food, apparel, accessories, and other items.
A statement released by organizers said that the growing popularity of the event created challenges to attract the necessary number of volunteers. The high cost of producing such a large event was another consideration. It also cited “the commitment to maintaining accessibility for vendors and attendees” as an additional factor leading to the decision to make the 20th year the event’s last.
In the statement, the team that produces the event said:
“This was not an easy decision to make. We understand that this final chapter of stART will be received with as much emotion as it was for us to make it—all the feels. We owe our success and growth to the unwavering support and creativity of our community members, artists, and volunteers.”
Founder and co-director of the festival Tina Zlody says the changing priorities of the core group of festival organizers also impacted the decision. She is director of the Worcester Public Market’s Market Pantry store and will provide consulting services related to event planning and management.
Festival founder Stacy Lord and co-director Laura Marotta are behind the Creative Hub Worcester Community Arts Center at 2 Ionic Ave. in Worcester. Groundbreaking at the location is expected this fall.
The final festival in September will include limited edition merchandise, a retrospective of stART stories, and special surprises that commemorate the event’s two decades.
The team also hosts stART at the Station, a holiday-themed craft show at Union Station, on Dec. 8.
stART on the Street on Sept. 15 begins at 11 AM and closes at 6 PM. The event takes place on Park Ave., between Pleasant Street and Highland Street.
