Saturday June 20th was the 22nd Annual installment of Cudell Improvement Inc's Clifton Arts & Music Fest held on the seven-lane-wide Clifton Boulevard between West 117th Street and West 112th. I say those street numbers in descending order because West 117th is closest to my home (three blocks) so in my world, West 117th comes first!
At the corner of West 117th and Clifton, the mass of humanity starts to become visible:
Shops and restaurants that line Clifton also join in on the festivities by expanding out on to the sidewalk, including Twist restaurant/bar:
But what the Clifton Arts & Music Fest is known for most are the vendors who are set up in tents along the street:
Dressed to grill:
The morning rain gave way to bright sunshine which brought out the crowds:
The fest is also a hands-on thing for people of all ages:
All sorts of art was on display:
Kids and paint is always a magical combination, especially when it's outdoors and you don't have to clean up after them:
Street performers were in evidence, including these knife-wielding belly dancers:
Grilling on the other side of the street, at the Tick Tock Tavern, famous for its barbecued ribs:
More retailers retailing from the sidewalk on a sunny Cleveland afternoon:
Views of some of the many vendors, who came from down the street and from across the country to display their wares:
Many find the festival as a good excuse to take the kids or the dogs for a walk, browse the artistic offerings and do some people watching:
These guys helped put the music in the Clifton Arts &
Music Fest:
After Clifton Web foolishly fled for suburban Avon Lake, Big Fun from Cleveland Heights opened their first western Cleveland store in Clifton Web's space and are doing well, thankyouverymuch:
My street is their canvas backing:
Here's a local artist's booth, as she hails from Brooklyn, OH, selling prints and jewelry she made:
One last look at the big festival crowd before I walk back home:
