The first ever Marblehead Festival of Arts was held way back in July 1963. Fifty years later it

is still going strong, and getting ready to burst forth on July 3-6, 2014. Visual and fine arts will be featured along with performing arts, as it has been since the very first Festival.

The organization behind the Festival is a non-profit group comprised of local residents on a voluntary basis, donating their talents and time in a large number of ways. The goal behind the establishment of the organization and the festival is to promote and encourage artistic events in Marblehead through the presentation of an annual arts festival. The organization has continued to grow and prosper each year, until today when not only is there an arts festival in July, but other events all year long. The organization also contributes greatly to the development of other local projects and organizations connected to the world of art.

On April 27 there will be a Volunteer Information Party in anticipation of the annual Festival of Arts. The party will take place from 3 PM to 5 PM, at the Corinthian Yacht Club at 1 Nahant Street on Marblehead Neck.

“When you volunteer for the Festival, you become part of a great legacy here in town,” said Maureen McKinnon, Volunteer Chairperson. “Next year will be our 50th Festival, and every one of those fifty years was the result of great folks coming together and working hard, but having a terrific time doing it.”