The Mount Horeb Art Fair returns for its 52nd year on July 15 and 16, and is bigger and better than ever. With a new vibe off Main Street, attendees can enjoy Mount Horeb’s historic downtown and experience one of the region’s premier art fairs.

If you have visited the Art Fair in the past, you’ll recall that the Art Fair used to stretch along our Main Street. Then in 2022, due to a state highway detour, event organizers were forced to move the event just off the main drag. While this change was not voluntary, it quickly became a blessing in deguise as event organizers found that traffic greatly increased year-over-year, and vendors and local businesses alike reported higher traffic and greater spending than ever before.

The feedback received from attendees, vendors, and local businesses alike was that the new layout allowed attendees to enjoy the festival, wander through the parking lot next to Duluth Trading Co.’s corporate headquarters, along Front Street, up and down Second Street, and enjoy the cool vibe of each little burough. Then after tasting some delicious treats in the food court, and after picking up lots of fine arts, crafts, jewelry, artisan goods, and more from vendors, attendees then made their way to Main Street and took their time enjoying our unique shops and restaurants.

Rather than being diverted away from Main Street, passers-by saw the festivities from Main Street, found a place to park, and enjoyed an unexpected day of live music, food trucks, great shopping, and more. With parking available on Main Street and around the downtown area, you’ll get the chance to meander and enjoy every bit of our historic downtown.

NEW ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

The quality of the fine arts and crafts at the Mount Horeb Art Fair have taken a big step up in recent years, and the artist community has taken notice. Event organizers have instituted more stringent vetting measures to detect copyright infringement and mass-produced items, and the result is visible to attendees and vendors alike.

This year, applications have been pouring in from artists around the country. While always a large draw for artists in midwestern states like greater Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois, this year, new artists are traveling to Mount Horeb from Arizona, Florida, Georgia, South Dakota, and New York. Word is getting out within artists’ and crafters’ circles that the Mount Horeb Art Fair is one of the best of its kind in the region.

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC

In addition to exceptional artwork and tastey treats, attendees can enjoy a full line-up of live music at the Music Stage located on Second Street at the Military Ridge Bike Shelter. On Saturday, enjoy local rock/blues group Carina & the Boys from 9-11a; local folk/jazz artist Lindsey Feuling from 12-2p; and local folk/blues artist Mike’s Mud Music from 3-5p. Then on Sunday, local folk/americana singer/songwriter (and business owner) Corey Mathew Hart will play from 11-1p, followed by funk/soul group the Alpha Romeos from 2-4p.

SUPPORT EMERGING ARTISTS

Vendors from the Mount Horeb Art Fair graciously donate items to our online silent auction, which opens in early July and closes at the end of the festival. Money raised through the silent auction benefits the Wally Keller Memorial Art Scholarship, which is awarded annual to a Mount Horeb senior who plans to pursue art in the future. You can learn more about the scholarship on the Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce’s website. Thank you for supporting art in our community!

ENJOY AN ART-FILLED WEEKEND IN MOUNT HOREB

While you’re in town, be sure sure to enjoy Mount Horeb and the surrounding area. Just a short drive from Madison, the Troll Capital of the World is nestled in the rolling hills of the beautiful driftless region. Be sure to stop in at the Driftless Historium and learn all about the driftless area; taste local beer, cider, and chocolate galore. Pop in and experience our unique and charming shops and boutiques. And if you need more time, stay the night at one of our great area lodging options.