A 5-foot painting of Albert Einstein, 25 original artworks on palettes throughout town, a gallery of fine artwork, food trucks, live music and more are all on tap for Vandergrift’s Artsfest Saturday.

Festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. along Grant Avenue, which will be closed to traffic from Columbia Avenue to below Farragut Avenue.

Fine art will be housed at the historic J.C. Penney building, 134 Grant Ave. with the “Vandergrift Market” marquee.

Sponsored by the Vandergrift Improvement Program (VIP), Artsfest will feature 30 artists, crafters and vendors selling paintings, jewelry, prints, leather work, home decor items, photography and more.

“The festival is a great way to explore the history of Vandergrift and be a part of the new wave of artists and businesses,” said Lisa Dormire of VIP and event chairwoman.

Five food trucks will serve up barbecue, Greek food, burgers, sausage, chicken fingers, shaved ice, cotton candy and lemonade.

Local bands will provide music throughout the day at the corner of Grant and Farragut while dancers from two local studios — Sandra Lynn’s and Just Dance — will perform at the corner of Grant and Columbia.

The theme for this year is a quote from Einstein: “Creativity is Contagious. Pass it on.”

Local artist and marketing specialist Alex Chaffins designed a large selfie photo station with a 5-foot Einstein face. The station will be located adjacent to the Penney’s building.

Chaffins was inspired by the Einstein words.

“It’s an amazing quote,” he said. “We feel being creative in any aspect is reinvigorating.”

The most visible artworks are the 25 original palettes along sidewalks around town, which are sponsored by local businesses.

Free children’s games and activities will be featured Saturday as well as local businesses throwing out the welcome mat including Sweetlane Chocolates, Ianni’s Pizza, G&G Diner, AJ’s Bar and Restaurant and the Wooden Door Winery.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)