On Saturday, River Artsfest 2007 drew the what appeared to be the largest crowd of its six-year history to the quiet town of Indian Head on the western side of Charles County. 

The festival showed that the county is making great cultural strides thanks to the efforts of local officials, artists, and volunteers organized under the Charles County Arts Alliance (CCAA).

Delegate Peter Murphy at River Artsfest 2007

According to Therese Theidman, CCAA administrator, the forty vendors and exhibitors who initially registered grew to nearly sixty by the day of the festival. As for the festival attendance, she said that the final count isn’t quite done yet, but that it looks as though it may be their biggest year yet.

“[River Artsfest 2007] was very successful; we had more vendors than ever,” Theidman said.

Cindy Johnson, CCAA board member and festival organizer, agreed, saying, "I thought that River Artsfest was the best year ever. We had beautiful weather, we had wonderful entertainment all day."

Although a bit off of the beaten path, Indian Head’s Village Green had laid-back atmosphere that allowed festival-goers the chance to absorb a kaleidoscope of sounds, crafts and visual arts from around Southern Maryland.

Festival attendees strolled through the lovely tree-lined stretch of park in the center of the Village Green past vendors offering everything from pizza and lemonade to rice dishes and fruit smoothies.

Visitors wandered in and out of open sided tents lining the Green, browsed a marvelous selection of local art, including necklaces made of sea glass collected on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and hand-made greeting cards. Visitors often met and spoke with the artists who generally tended their own tents.

Children kept busy with free craft classes in the kids’ event tent and face painting. Right next door, Ronald McDonald worked his magic and, of course, pitched McDonald’s new slogan encouraging kids to be active.

As a testament to CCAA’s thirst for feedback and its quest to improve River Artsfest, festival attendees, vendors and exhibitors received anonymous questionnaires where they could detail how well they liked their visit and what improvements they would like to see.

Local officials were seen enjoying the Artsfest. Charles County Commissioner Samuel N. Graves Jr. (D) spoke during the opening ceremony.

"[The festival] was very attractive," Graves told The Bay Net later.  "I wish I could have spent more time there.  It's exciting that we're bringing more cultural things into Charles County."

Commissioner Reuben B. Collins II (D) brought his wife and daughters to the festival, and Del. Peter Murphy (D, Charles) arrived to enjoy the festival later in the day. 

"I wanted to arrive earlier," Murphy told The Bay Net.  "[But this] worked out well because now I can take my time talking to people."

~*~*~

Heather Bartlett is TheBayNet.com’s Waldorf and Arts Correspondent. 
To contact her about this article, Waldorf issues or Arts events comment below or email bartlett@thebaynet.com.

Slideshow photos by Tara Dailey & Heather Bartlett for TheBayNet.com.