A Halloween-themed vendor fair in Sharpsburg brought out ghouls and witches but also offered visitors some candy-themed science experiments, fall crafts and the chance to participate in borough art installations.
Shop Sharpsburg Street Fair on Oct. 24 was a way to show off the business corridor and engage the community.
A costume contest was hosted along North Canal Street; a leaf-rubbing station and a quasi-chemistry lab was set up at the Community Library along Main Street; and councilman Brad Truman provided music that livened up the neighborhood.
“The chilly fall day couldn’t keep people away from the fair,” library director Sara Mariacher said.
“We didn’t have a lot of entries in the kids’ costume contest, but the entries we did have were fantastic.”
The winner was dressed as Newt Scamander from “Fantastic Beasts,” complete with a bowtruckle (the sharp-fingered insect-eater from Harry Potter) on his shoulder.
Runners-up were dressed as a tiger and Batman.
Artist Lindsay Huff coordinated with Ketchup City Creative for an interactive station for visitors to hammer aluminum cans used for neighborhood murals.
Wildlife sketched on painted wood were labeled with the specific colors, and Huff provided aluminum can pieces, donated by residents, that aspiring artists cut, hammered and attached.
“It’s a bit like a paint-by-number, only louder,” Huff said.
About 30 people took part and a half-dozen more signed up for a take-home kit.
Huff was chosen earlier this year to work with the Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization to lead the community-based project and create permanent art installations around the borough.
The products were meant to be completed in a series of free public workshops but with covid-19 restrictions, Huff turned to working with small groups in separate settings.
“Using recycled materials provides a great lesson in upcycling and repurposing,” Huff said. “Aluminum cans are a common, everyday object that get to have a new life as art material. The finished murals are a bit like a treasure hunt as your eyes start to notice different patterns, logos and symbols.”
Plus, she said, the tiny, 4-inch hammers are a big draw for kids.
“Making a mosaic in this way also serves as a great metaphor — one small piece might seem insignificant but when you combine your efforts by collaborating with others, you can accomplish great things,” she said
For a take-home art kit, email sharpsburgartproject@gmail.com.
