The Center for the Arts Foundation is set to revitalize its annual arts celebration, now rebranded as the Festival of Arts, emphasizing inclusivity and community engagement. During a recent government meeting, Halloran, the foundation's president, outlined the festival's new direction, which aligns with the city’s strategic plan to foster a vibrant community through arts and culture.

The festival, themed \"The Spirit of Gresham,\" aims to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages participation from all community members. Halloran highlighted the foundation's commitment to providing opportunities for creative expression across diverse artistic disciplines, moving beyond the traditional confines of an art festival.

Carolyn, a representative from the foundation, shared that community enthusiasm is high, with significant input from an advisory council and local businesses. The festival will feature over 150 juried artists, interactive art demonstrations, and a dedicated kids' village, with expectations of drawing more than 20,000 attendees.

Scheduled for the weekend of the festival, activities will include a comedy show hosted by Bocelli's, a return of the popular \"Music Under the Stars\" event, and an art auction. Local businesses will also participate by setting up booths and offering a special grab-and-go menu to cater to festival-goers.

The festival is positioned to not only celebrate the arts but also to invigorate the local economy by bringing foot traffic back to Main Street, fostering a sense of community pride and collaboration among residents and merchants alike. The foundation encourages everyone to stay tuned for further details in local media as the event approaches.