Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Lary Brandt's name and to indicate that the Civic Association may have awarded some grants prior to 2000.
Sunday’s storms soaked Bucks County and caused devastating flooding across other areas of the Northeast. Yet, just one day prior, a balmy summer Saturday kicked off the 72nd annual Tinicum Arts Festival.
At Saturday’s gate, crowds were huge and steady from the festival’s open until close. A record-breaking 135 crafters and artisans exhibited their wares in avenues of tents lining the nearly five acres of Tinicum Park grounds.
The centerpiece of the festival — the so-called Art Barn — featured more than 180 regional artists.
Numerous mediums were represented, such as acrylics, pastels, watercolors, sculpture, and photography. Judges this year were painter Jeff Charlesworth, of Ringoes, N.J., and Helena van Emmerik-Finn from Doylestown.
The Best of Show ribbon was awarded to David Hahn for his acrylic painting, “Summer Clouds.”
State and county officials reveled in the art, live music on the main stage and the diverse food tents and trucks, including State Sen. Steve Santarsierio and Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie.
Tinicum Supervisor Eleanor Breslin and Township Manager Teri Lewis joined with the many township volunteers running the complex event.
“We were honored to have some of our state and county officials in attendance, as well as representation from township government who worked hard as volunteers,” shared Tinicum Association President Sue Walsh.
Weather predictions for Sunday, the second day of the festival, were not promising. Forecasts seemed to predict storms approaching in the afternoon and evening hours. Festival officials quickly moved Sunday’s opening an hour earlier to 10 a.m. and the festival gate opened to initially strong crowds.
But the weather turned earlier than predicted. When thunder and lightning began shortly after noon, the main entertainment stage was immediately shut down and the entire festival day was canceled by 1 p.m.
Despite the disappointment of a truncated festival, the final attendance stats reported were far more exciting. In less than one-and-a-half days, festival officials announced record attendance of over 6,500 people, beating out last year’s two-day record of 6,000.
“To see this annual community event, with live entertainment, kids crafts, authors table, white elephant sale, book wagon, and so much more continue to grow strongly in popularity is highly rewarding,” shared Tinicum Civic Association Vice President Lary Brandt.
At least as far back as 2000, records show that the Civic Association has provided grants to Tinicum community organizations based on proceeds received from the festival. The Tinicum Civic Association’s donations since then and including this year are expected to exceed a $800,000 in total giving.
“In 2022, our association awarded $67,500 to not-for-profit community organizations. While we do not yet know how much we will be able to award local non-profits in 2023, I can state we hope it will meet, if not exceed, last year’s sum,” said association president Sue Walsh.
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