Organizers of the 43rd annual Park Ave Summer Art Festival expect a quarter-million people will visit the event on August 3rd and 4th.
More than 250 artists will be featured at the juried art show.
Officials said Tuesday that they are taking steps to make sure it’s a family-friendly event. In response to neighborhood concerns, police will be patrolling the Park Avenue neighborhood throughout the weekend.
Mark Mura, deputy chief with the Rochester Police Department, said it’s important that people be respectful and responsible during the festival.
“This is one of those events that you should be able to bring your entire family to and enjoy the entire day,” he said.
“We’re going to have a good presence here, to make sure everybody’s safe,” Mura added. “If you’re at the event, and you happen to see something that doesn’t look right, say something. Get a hold of a police officer, call 9-1-1, say something so we can make sure that everybody that is here is safe, and everybody enjoys themselves.”
Festival producer Jeff Springut encouraged people to park at several lots that will have shuttles running to and from the festival. If people want to park in the Park Avenue area, they should be sure to read the signs.
“The neighbors spent an inordinate amount of time changing the parking signs to bright red ‘NO, YOU CAN’T’ or green ‘YES, YOU CAN.’ And if you follow the signs, you should be in good shape and save the money on the parking tickets,” Springut said.
Organizers also unveiled the annual Park Avenue Summer Art Fest Poster, created by local artist Jen Born.
She said she grew up coming to the event, and this is her 10th year bringing her work to the festival.
Here’s the unveiling of this year’s poster: