Group plans arts festival in Brownsville
BROWNSVILLE – Plans are being made for a new event to be added to the National Pike Festival in Brownsville. Fred Lapisardi, who opened the Market Street Academy and Performing Arts Center at 33 Market St. in Brownsville this fall, is in the process of organizing the Market Street Arts Festival to coincide with the National Pike Festival the third weekend in May. The National Pike Festival runs through Fayette and Washington counties, with wagon trains following the original national road, Route 40. The route is lined with local festivals and Lapisardi would like to capitalize on that.
“There are a lot of people who will be coming through town, but since the wagon train stopped coming here, the numbers have really dropped off,” Lapisardi said.
Lapisardi said he is envisioning a festival in downtown Brownsville featuring music, theater, food and dance, both indoors and out. Lapisardi said Jeff Jones, who opened a photography gallery in the Flatiron Building several months ago, has expressed an interest in helping to organize the arts festival in Brownsville. Lapisardi said he would like to see other businesses and organizations get involved as well.
“I’d like to get church groups involved, individuals or groups who want to do food booths, and of course, the arts,” Lapisardi said.
Lapisardi is holding two meetings on Wednesday, one at 10 a.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m., for anyone interested in being involved with the arts festival planning. The meetings will be held on the second floor of the former Oddfellows Building, which houses the academy, with light refreshments served.
“I’m trying to give everyone an opportunity to have input,” Lapisardi said.
Lapisardi said his plans to date include writing contests for elementary, high school and post-graduate participants, with the winners invited to read their works at the Market Street Academy. Musical, dramatic and historic-based performances will also be offered in the second and third floor performance areas of the former Oddfellows Building, which now serves as the academy. Lapisardi said additional performances and events are welcome throughout the town, including at the wharf and other areas of the community.
To help prepare for the planning meetings, Lapisardi is asking those planning to attend to get back to him by telephone at 724 880-3801 or by e-mail at MarketStArts@gmail.com
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