About The Fine Arts Fiesta

Years of Art, Culture, & Community in Downtown Wilkes-Barre

For the last 69 years, downtown Wilkes- Barre is alive with the sights and sounds of the Arts, thanks to the annual Fine Arts Fiesta!

The Fine Arts Fiesta, a 501C3 Nonprofit organization, is the finest and the oldest arts festival in Pennsylvania. The Board of Directors works throughout the year to organize this major event and is a 501C3 Not For Profit.

When Annette Evans, with the assistance of Al Groh, started the Fiesta so many years ago, it consisted of a handful of artists and performers with some coming from New York City, Philadelphia and beyond. Their idea was simply to bring fine visual and performing arts to the people who otherwise might not have an opportunity to experience them.

Arts

✺

Crafts

✺

Music

✺

Dance

✺

Poetry

✺

Theater

Two girls with face paint painting on a large easel outdoors. A man in the background watches.
Singer on stage with band, performing outdoors. Man singing into mic, guitarist, drummer visible.

the Essence of Fine Arts Fiesta

Children are welcome and entertained for free with puppet shows, face painting, a strolling mime, music, a clown as well with many credible make and take opportunities, storytelling and visits with Mother Goose, as well family interactive arts and craft experiences. Family members of all ages will enjoy an amazing culinary experience which will satisfy every appetite with a sumptuous food court.

Visitors are invited to browse and shop the Yellow Zinnia Artists’ Market with over 40 participants exhibiting, demonstrating and selling their arts and crafts.

Many local multi disciplines of performing arts organizations and groups are also given the opportunity to share their talents and expertise with the community on the main stage throughout the four days.

Without the help and support of hundreds of volunteers, the City of Wilkes-Barre and Mayor George Brown, it would be impossible to present the Fine Arts Fiesta annually. The ongoing generosity of the many foundations, over 300 individual donors, in-kind contributors, and sponsors support the mission and vision of bringing Fiesta to downtown Wilkes-Barre every year are commended and always supported.

The Fine Arts Fiesta is truly one of the best ongoing family and artistic events in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region! Since it’s humble beginnings there has never been an admission fee and all presentations, entertainment, children’s activities, artist’s market, and exhibitions remain free of charge.

An art fair tent, a painting of a snowy landscape on display. People viewing paintings, one with a stroller.
People buying food from a food stand;

Our History

The Fine Arts Fiesta started as a three-day festival on May 24th, May 25th, and May 26th, 1956 in Public Square to celebrate the Sesquicentennial of Wilkes-Barre, PA formally being incorporated in 1806. The festival was designed to be a celebration of Wyoming Valley art, music, dance, and culture. The founders for the festival were Annette Evans and Al Groh who were Board members of the committee. According to Annette Evans, the festival was designed to "place Wilkes-Barre on par with the top gay festivals of Europe, South America, and the United States." The festival became an annual tradition ever since.


This 1961 film for the Fine Arts Fiesta event is approximately 11 minutes long with no sound except for 03:27-05;20, and from 07:06-07:49 for two performances. The festival ran over four days, May 18-21, 1961 and the theme was the Renaissance. Miss Evans appointed John F. McAndrew and Alice Welsh Jenkins as chairman of arrangements and design, and Mrs. H.B. Schooley as chairman of program.
Member organizations in the 1961 Fine Arts Fiesta included : Wyoming Valley Art League, American Institute of Architects (Northeastern Pennsylvania chapter), Osterhout Library, Hoyt Library, Back Mountain Library, Garden Club of Wyoming Valley, Wyoming Valley Playground and Recreation Association, Wilkes-Barre Camera Club, West Side Flower Club, Crafts of Wyoming Valley, Dolls of Wyoming Valley, Wyoming Historical and Genealogical Society, Sculptors Association of Wyoming Valley, and the Junior League of Wilkes-Barre.

Music member organizations included the Wilkes-Barre Philarhomic Orchestra, Philharmonic String Quartet, Wilkes College Department of Music and Drama, Kings College Drama Department, Music Departments of Wilkes-Barre schools, nationality groups of the Wyoming Valley, Concordia Singing Society, Orpheus Singing Society, Apollo Singing Society, Wyoming Valley Oratorio Society, Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Ballet Guild, Wyoming Valley Opera Guild, and Drama Guild of the Jewish Community Center.

Featured in the film is Ferdinand Liva, conductor of the Wilkes-Barre Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wilkes College Chamber Music Ensemble.

The principal address for the opening of the festival was delivered by Miss Frances Dorrance. Duard Slattery, Academy Film winner was guest of honor. Dr. Eugene S. Farley, Mayor Frank Slattery, and Leon Schwartz were also on the program.

A pageant of the "Seven Arts" (Literature, Drama, Sculpture, Music, Painting, Dance, and Architecture) was featured in the opening ceremonies, with seven women dressed in costume to represent the seven focuses of the festival. Costume designs were under the direction of Mrs. Stefan Hellerspeck, and Mrs. Vincent Znaniecki, assisted by Mrs. J.F. Funke and Miss Marion Hogg.