By: Alyssa Ochss | St. Clair Shores Sentinel | Published September 11, 2024
ST. CLAIR SHORES — In year 36, the Lac Ste. Claire Fine Art Fair is still going strong and still has a wide variety of artisans to buy from.
Sara-Rose Melby, Lac Ste. Claire Fine Art Fair entrance chairperson, said all the proceeds raised from the fair go to the Miss St. Clair Shores scholarship program. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 14-15.
Melby said she is excited for the fair and one of her favorite parts is the community.
“It’s like preparing for one big holiday weekend all year long,” Melby said. “And it’s always nice to see it come to fruition and see all the artists.”
She said there’s a little bit of everything for the public to enjoy and take part in.
The Detroit Institute of Arts will have its own tent. A giant canvas will be available for people to paint. The hope for this canvas, Melby said, is to exhibit it in St. Clair Shores and raffle it off.
“It should be awesome,” Melby said. “There’s definitely going to be items for everyone to enjoy.”
Community organizations will have information available for eventgoers to browse through and local high school artists will have a chance to win awards for their pieces.
“It’s just a really nice family-oriented art fair,” Melby said.
Miss St. Clair Shores and Miss St. Clair Shores Teen will sing the national anthem and with the help of a local Boy Scouts troop, they raise the flag each day.
“And it is like magical to hear the quiet before the show starts and see everybody in awe of the Stars and Stripes going up the pole.” Melby said. “And then the gate opens, and we get flooded with people who are ready to just walk around and enjoy the park and enjoy art.”
Melby has gone to the art fair since she was a young girl, and she said she loves to see the families who are regulars grow and enjoy the event.
There is no admission charge for the event, parking is free and no park passes are needed. The park will be closed on Sept. 13 for set up.
“After a certain time, we can’t let people in because we have vehicles and equipment moving in and out,” Melby said. “So for their safety, we close the park on the 13th.”
Visit the Friends of the Library at the Lac Ste. Claire Fine Art Fair
The Friends of the St. Clair Shores Public Library will have a booth at the Lac Ste. Claire Fine Art Fair on Sept. 14-15.
They will have lots of puzzles available for purchase. The booth is traditionally near the entrance of the fair at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 32400 Jefferson Ave.