The East Lansing Art Festival concluded on May 21 at 5 p.m. with giggling kids racing after bubbles spreading across the closed off, pedestrian friendly intersection. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
A ceramic artist demonstrated how to make a pinch pot for young onlookers outside the Marriott East Lansing at University Place on M.A.C. Avenue on May 21. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Lead singer of Grace Theisen Band, Grace Theisen, guitar player, Adam Main, and violin player, Cori Beth Somers, took to the main stage to close out the weekend at the East Lansing Art Festival. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
The East Lansing Art Festival spanned Albert Avenue from the top of Abbot Road to Bailey Street and M.A.C Avenue in addition to the green areas around the MSU Union and the Human Ecology Building. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
A Rewind Jewelry artist places pieces out on display at his corner booth on M.A.C. Avenue in East Lansing on May 21. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre performed “What if Wilhelmina” on May 21 to kick off the second day of the East Lansing Art Festival. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
David Lewis, Figures of Wood owner, chats with customers at his wood-working booth. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Hundreds of dogs took to the downtown streets for a sunny day at the East Lansing Art Festival. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
J’adore Pets, a four-legged friend fashion booth, catered to the furry canine and feline festival attendees. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Two potential patrons speak with painter, Eva Antebi-Lerman, at her booth on Albert Avenue at the art festival this weekend, May 20-21. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Thousands of people came to Downtown East Lansing May 20-21 for the East Lansing Art Festival. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
A painter stands outside his booth featuring his works on M.A.C. Ave this weekend. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
“Purveyor of doodles, sketches, and other such nonsense,” Paul King, talks to an attendee at his booth on Albert Avenue. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
With over 34 years of experience under his orange cap, Mark Wagar, professional glass artist and owner of Wagar Glass, stands in his booth at the East Lansing Art Festival. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Wager’s glass work features artistic and spiritual concepts, including these Spirit Catcher’s that ward off negative energy dating back to the 16th and 17th century. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
This delicate hand blown glass work created by Mark Wagar has been part of the East Lansing Art Festival on and off for over 25 years. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Food trucks and hungry attendees filled the Bailey Street Parking Lot May 20-May 21. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Employees at Taqueria Monarca, one of the featured Mexican food trucks at the art festival, check out two customers this weekend. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
Owner of Fire & Rice Paella, Nick Neveau, and cook Jordan Hook, prepare their vegan and chicken & sausage paella right in front of the line of customers. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno. 
The vegan and meat paella options sizzled in the heat outside Fire & Rice Paella’s food truck May 21 in Downtown East Lansing. Photo by Sammy Pietrinferno.
Heading into downtown over weekend of May 21-22, it could have been mistaken as a “Great Day For Football” as thousands of residents and visitors milled around the temporarily pedestrian friendly streets lined with hundreds of white tents.
The City of East Lansing held their 60th Annual Art Festival, filling up Albert Avenue, M.A.C. Avenue, and the grounds surrounding the MSU Union and Human Ecology.
Over 150 artists came together to showcase their work including photography, ceramics, jewelry, furniture design, and so much more for thousands of Michigan residents and visitors.
“I’ve been doing this show, god, scary numbers, over 25 years,” said Mark Wagar, professional glass blower of 34 years.
Located in Southeast Michigan, Wagar said he still enjoys coming to art festivals and talking to people. Having just turned 62, Wagar shared that he’s in the middle these days about working arts and craft fairs.
“It talks to ya, you know what I’m saying, it’s grueling,” said Wagar. “The whole setup and teardown and having to walk to my oversized vehicle eight blocks it’s wow…What else am I gonna do? Go work at Walmart?”
Taylor Kehren, a volunteer for the East Lansing Art Festival, said the goal of the event in her opinion was, “to bring the East Lansing Community together and represent the different artists from around the area and showcase their work.”
Another volunteer, Zander Bowles, said he volunteers because he wanted to help out the community and give back to the artists.
The festival attracted thousands of attendees watching performances, buying food from local food trucks, purchasing art, and enjoying the spring weather downtown.
Ashley Freestone, a Missouri native, said, “[I] kinda just wanted to hang out downtown and…we both like craft fairs, so we kind of wanted to do it together, see kind of what was out.”
Emilia Puda, from Northville, said she came to the art festival to support local artists and businesses.