The Northcoast Promotions’ inaugural Polar Fest will celebrate the winter season through the works of local craftspeople and artists. Held at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, this festival called up original 2D and 3D work from local artists for the juried show. With an emphasis on seasonally themed works, 60 artists will display their wares—ranging from glass blowing to handwoven Alpaca scarves to clay dishes.
Attendees can visit the craftspeople’s tents, enjoy live music performances of Sara Lowe—a bluegrass singer and ukulele player—and jazz duet Phido, plus sip on ice wine supplied by nearby wineries. Families can participate in the snowman-building contest, try their hands at ice sculpting, or duck into one of three surrounding heated buildings to make crafts and snap a souvenir in the photo booth.
Food trucks and other local eateries, such as Cecilia’s Sweet Delights, will feed the fest with macaroons and buckeyes, while Fire & Ice will serve up wood oven–cooked pizzas. Guest will also have the opportunity to meet Christine Benedict, a local short story writer who studied creative writing at Baldwin College and Cleveland State University. Benedict will be signing copies of her book, Anonymous, a mystery novel set in Cleveland. Sponsors of the fest, while supporting the day’s activities, also will contribute to scholarship funds for a college student pursuing a fine arts degree, supplying a next generation of artists in pursuing their goals.
January 24 12–8 pm and January 25 12–6 pm, Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Rd., Berea, Ohio, clevelandpolarfest.com