SOURCE: Fitchburg Art Museum
FITCHBURG, MA--(Marketwire - Sep 18, 2012) -
WHAT:
The festival formerly known as the Fitchburg Forge-In is celebrating its 9th anniversary, and this year's greatly expanded event promises to be one of the largest community celebrations ever held in Worcester County. The addition of musical performances, public art workshops for families and kids plus numerous community activities will make for a wildly creative and much bigger festival than ever before.
The expanded scope of the event is through the support of co-organizers City of Fitchburg, Fitchburg Art Museum and Fitchburg State University. So much is new for 2012 that the event has a new name: The Blacksmith Art & Music Festival.
WHEN:
Saturday, September 29 from 10 am to 9 pm
WHERE:
Riverfront Park, 40 Commercial St., Fitchburg, Mass.
WHO:
Dozens of highly skilled blacksmith artists from all over New England will compete for prize money. Fitchburg State University has created several carnival-size paintings designed to showcase how the arts can be a catalyst for urban revitalization. Students from Framingham State University will have a series of public art boats using sardine cans and other recycled materials that will float down the Nashua River next to Riverfront Park. Bands and performers include: Big Ol' Dirty Bucket, Everett McKee, One Step Further, Cara Brindisi, Zachary Zapierre, The Bynars, and Banda Criolla.
DETAILS:
The art of blacksmithing spans over 3,000 years, from simple tools to armor made for medieval knights to dramatic Victorian gates. Some of the region's top blacksmiths will flex their artistic and metalworking skills as they compete for prize money. Fitchburg Art Museum is coordinating a broad array of art displays, including a youth and family arts area, and is showing popular items from its permanent collection. Fitchburg State University has scheduled live performances from some of New England's favorite jazz, rock, and ethnic bands.