WILKES-BARRE — And just like that, another year of the Fine Arts Fiesta on Public Square came to a close Sunday. Attendees had one final chance to grab their favorite foods, check out some art work and browse the many vendor shops.
Although the event was plagued by scattered rain showers for most of the weekend, the fiesta ended its run on Sunday with some comfortable, but windy weather.
Regardless, nothing was going to stop Eileen Totino, of Wilkes-Barre, and her daughter Gabriella from enjoying the festivities.
“We’re going,” Totino said, with a laugh. “One way or another, we’re going. I’d rather it didn’t rain, I’d rather it wasn’t windy, but that’s not going to keep us away.”
Totino had already been to the fiesta once on Friday, but couldn’t help coming back to experience it one last time on Sunday.
“I like to see the paintings. I draw myself and belong to the Wyoming Valley Art League so I come out to support that,” she said.
Aside from the artwork, Sunday’s lineup of live entertainment included performances from the Lazy River Jazz Band and the Brendan Brisk Band. Additionally, Harrisburg-based band The Contra Rebels provided music for Festival-attendees to dance to.
Jennifer Brennan, who attended the fiesta with her daughter Aurora, 7, said she was very grateful all of the kids’ activities were free. Aurora was able to participate in a puppet show and get her face painted like a dragon.
“We love the food too, of course,” she said.
Sunday was artist Mark Ciocca’s first time being a vendor at the fiesta.
In years past, his artwork was on display in the exhibition tents, but on Sunday, he sold prints of his pen and ink illustrations depicting classic architecture, locomotives and various historical sites all around NEPA.
“I started with the Electric City and then I branching out. I have about nine counties so far,” he said. “It’s a celebration of our area. This is our collective history.”
Although he said traffic was a bit slow at times because of the rain, most of the weekend was pretty busy.
“It’s nice to see all the families out. It’s been a venue for 69 years — that’s such a big deal. And all the volunteers. It’s very impressive,” Ciocca said.
Ciocca was happy to speak with festival-attendees about his artwork and they were particularly interested in the local buildings and architeture, like the Market Street Bridge.
“History is alive because this stuff speaks to people.”