History | Our Story

For over thirty years, the Lakewood Arts Festival has brought local and national artists to the streets of Lakewood, Ohio the first weekend in August.

The Lakewood Downtown Arts Festival, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that administers the show with the help of a team of hard-working volunteers and the cooperation of the city of Lakewood, Ohio. The festival supports itself with money raised by entry fees, donations from community merchants, sponsorship funds and t-shirt sales.

Besides supporting the festival itself, money earned or donated goes towards a scholarship for a local high school graduate, a Lakewood resident, pursuing a degree in fine arts, and toward grants awarded local organizations presenting art programs for children and seniors in Lakewood.

On average, one hundred and sixty artists are selected to exhibit. Awards, funded through the help of local business, are presented to artists in categories of Best of Show, First, Second, Third and Fourth Place, Best Creative Presentation and Best New Artist.

Every year a line-up of fine musical entertainment is scheduled throughout the day. A list of times for entertainment is available at the Information Booth. Festival T-shirts are available for purchase at the information booth as well. Every year they have a fresh new design done by a local artist. The sale of these shirts provides funds to support our scholarship fund.