Riverwalk fest to feature arts, film, performances

Staff report

NEW CASTLE, PA.

Arts & Education at the Hoyt’s fifth annual Arts on the Riverwalk Festival will return Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. with a lineup of competitions, performances and activities at Riverwalk Park, downtown. Admission is free.

There will also be an artists market, beer-tasting, short film and video festival, a life-size dinosaur puppet and more.

Perhaps the most outlandish attraction will be Squonk Opera, a Pittsburgh-based group that offers a theatrical blend of music, art and science. Its original production “Pneumatica” is not only about, but made of and powered by, air. Wind turbines, blowers and vortex fans energize the set, inflate costumes and make Lady Pneumatica, a 40-foot backdrop, move with the music.

Shows are scheduled at the intersection of East Washington and East streets at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

More than 20 performing artists will compete for the People’s Choice award, which comes with a $1,000 prize. Ballots may be cast at the Riverwalk Park Amphitheater, Zambelli Park and The Confluence restaurant throughout the day. The winner will be announced at the Riverwalk Amphitheater at 8:30 p.m.

There will also be a crafts tent with free activities for children, and raku firings.

Several nearby venues will present a number of activities. These include The Pokeberry Exchange, book signings from 12:30-4 p.m.; Status Party Room, a beer tasting from 1-6 p.m.; children’s activities at Two Rivers Artisan Coffee Works from 2-7 p.m; film screenings at the Warner Cascade Theatre Museum from noon to 8 p.m.; and a dinosaur puppet from 3:-5 p.m. in The Riverplex..

More than 40 vendors will offer food, face-painting, caricatures and moderately priced pots, jewelry, glassware, wood and other artisan wares.