East End Arts Street Painting Festival Returns to Riverhead May 29

Now celebrating its 20th year, East End Arts’ annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival returns to Riverhead on Sunday, May 29 from noon–5 p.m.

Free and open to the public, this Memorial Day weekend tradition is a lively community event bringing together live music, dancing, theater, drumming and other fun activities, with delicious gourmet food and artists, artisans and craftspeople selling original handmade products—all while local artists brighten Main Street with “I Madonnari,” the classic art of street “painting,” with chalk and pastels, dating back to 16th century Italy.

Each year, the festival attracts some 5,000 locals and tourists, so would-be street painters over 14 years of age are encouraged to register in advance. Pre-registered street painters will be matched with squares sponsored by local businesses on a first-come-first-serve basis, but street painting squares may also be purchased for $20 on the day of the event. Materials are included and available at the festival.

Participating artists, artisans and crafts vendors include:

A. Graziano Photography
Deja Vu Creative
HL Sea & Beach Glass Jewelry
Sharon Gajajiva – hand-stitched Czech glass beaded jewelry
Giving Tree – hand enameled butterfly flower leaf design necklaces
HL Sea & Beach Glass Jewelry
Island Girls Boutique – handmade hair bows
Yan Yan Liang – jewelry
Victoria Beckert – watercolors
Other vendors include Macaroni Kid Riverhead and Rainbow Rosie Face painting.

Gourmet food truck vendors include:

Blondie’s Bake Shop
Eat Me, Drink Me
Sticky Waffles
Hamptons Beach Treats
Hines Catering

All festival activities take place in downtown Riverhead on East Main Street, between Roanoke Avenue and East Avenue, and on the grounds of East End Arts (133 and 141 East Main Street). In the case of rain, the festival will be held on Monday, May 30 from 2–5 p.m. Admission to the festival is free.

For more information, contact East End Arts at 631-727-0900 or visit eastendarts.org.