History Of The Fine Arts Fiesta

The following is excerpted from The Fine Arts Fiesta: A Cultural Tradition in Wyoming Valley, written by Lawrence Drake, 2002. To read the complete manuscript please click here.

It is hard to imagine the last forty-six years in the life of Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley without the Fine Arts Fiesta. Producing an arts festival that could be enjoyed by the entire community was the primary goal of Annette Evans, Alfred Groh, and other Fiesta founders. The talent displayed in those early Fiestas was local, the exhibits were local, and, on Public Square, the atmosphere was local. A source of great pride for the community, the Fine Arts Fiesta flourished in the hands of capable leaders from the Wyoming Valley community. As numerous newspaper articles recount and Ruth Schooley noted, millions of people have continued to be amazed that Wilkes-Barre is the home of such a wonderful arts fiesta. The oldest full-scale arts festival in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Fine Arts Fiesta continues to bring pleasure to thousands of visitors every May.

1956-1965: A Decade of the Arts

At noon on May 24, 1956, when Wilkes-Barre Mayor Luther M. Kniffen sounded the historic Old Ship Zion Bell, the Fine Arts Fiesta was born. As the highlight of Wilkes-Barre's Sesquicentennial celebration, the Fiesta, which represented the first aggregation of all the arts of the valley in one place, was viewed with anticipation and curiosity. Commencing the three-day celebration was an opening ceremony intended to educate the audience on Fiesta's purpose. Art and history were stressed in that first opening ceremony. Dr. Eugene S. Farley, then President of Wilkes College, now Wilkes University, "stressed the interrelation between the valley's cultural assets, and economic and industrial well-being of the community therefore, the fiesta plays a significant role in the overall growth of the community." Annette Evans, the engine behind the first Fine Arts Fiesta, spoke of the historical assets of the valley. She introduced Ben Cook as a "character of 1806" and gave a historical portrayal of the valley's growth from 1806 to 1956. Ben Cook, in his role as a character of yesteryear, circulated throughout the Fiesta, exchanging "historical witticisms" with spectators.

1966-1978: New Leadership, New Trials, Same Spirit

A decade of successful Fine Arts Fiestas had rendered the event a known, respected, and anticipated entity within the Greater Wilkes-Barre Community. In addition, Fiesta was beginning to garner national attention as a top-notch full-scale arts festival. Emphasis on quality performances, a dedicated and arts-friendly group of officers, a superb location in the heart of Wilkes-Barre, a gift to the people of Wyoming Valley all these dynamics became associated with the Fine Arts Fiesta from 1956 to 1965. From its humble beginnings of twelve organizations and six performances, Fiesta had matured to become an annual event that engrossed one thousand volunteers with the cooperation of thirty-six organizations.

Improvements to the Fiesta infrastructure became a primary concern in the first half of the 1970's. Subsequent to the 1971 Fiesta, the directors decided to concentrate on the physical aspects of the festival in order to augment the growth of the event. Concentrations on improvements would soon be coupled with the necessity to overcome adversity. The Agnes flood of 1972 made the 1973 Fine Arts Fiesta an extraordinary undertaking. Although the effects of Agnes had decimated Public Square, city officials and Fiesta directors thought it necessary to hold the event on the Square, its traditional home, as a way of revitalizing the downtown with a show of confidence.

1978-1987: Precursors for Expansion

1978 and 1979 were years of stabilization for the Fine Arts Fiesta. Acclimation to new surroundings on the reconfigured Public Square hindered most opportunities for innovation. Instead, Fiesta directors focused on quality entertainment involving many mainstays of past Fiesta programs. Since Fiesta's inception, the local community had come to associate Fiesta with educational enjoyment with no charge of admission. As a free gift to the people of the Wyoming Valley, Fiesta had guaranteed large crowds and a friendly atmosphere. Back on the Square, focus was placed on maintaining the quality of exhibits and performances while continuing the tradition of giving to rather than receiving.

88-present: Expansion, Expansion, Expansion!

Although 1989 marked the greatest expansion year in Fiesta history, it retained many of its favorite programs. Local high schools continued to play a large role in the area of band shell performances. The Wilkes-Barre Little Theatre made a traditional appearance and the children's "big top" performances were a hit. Although Punch and Judy had retired, puppets, clowns, mimes, and artists entertained children in what remained a favorite aspect of the Fine Arts Fiesta. Thirty-five Fiestas had officially passed since Mayor Kniffen's opening chiming of the Old Ship Zion Bell in 1956. Fiesta continued to be held on Public Square, remained a free gift to the people of the Wyoming Valley, and retained its emphasis on quality arts and performances.