Blue Island Arts Alliance has evolved its biggest event by request.
The group partners with Streetz Artz Alliance for Mai Fest 2024 Arts and Crafts Fair on May 11 on Olde Western Avenue in Blue Island.
“We wanted to create some kind of signature event for us that could showcase local talent and showcase the town as well. Olde Western Avenue is getting revitalized. There’s stuff going on. We’re happy to bring people in to see that and experience it,” said Joe Leamanczyk, head of Blue Island Arts Alliance.
“The whole purpose of the festival is to showcase artists’ handmade goods.”
Residents of Alsip, Chicago’s Beverly community, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, the Frankfort-New Lenox area, Joliet, La Grange, Lockport, Midlothian, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Park Forest, Tinley Park and Chicago’s north suburbs are among the more than 100 vendors, which include about 40 first-timers.
Olde Western Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from 134th Street north to Canal Street for the third annual event, which takes place one day before Mother’s Day and includes candles, fine art, food products, jewelry, painting, photography and soaps.
“The city of Blue Island actually approached us and said, ‘We think it would be great to close the whole street down. That makes it safer to have that closed. People (are) able to mill about and not have to worry about kids running into the street,” Leamanczyk said.
He added that Mai Fest has shifted from vendors being both indoors and outdoors due to attendees asking for a more cohesive presentation.
“We’re all out on the street this year,” said Leamanczyk of Blue Island.
A central gathering place with tables and chairs has been added around the maypole at Olde Western and Broadway.
“We wanted to respond to feedback from last year,” Leamanczyk said.
“One of the things we heard was some more food options. We definitely boosted that. Seating was a thing we heard from people especially for older folks or people who need to sit down. Let’s embrace that and try to make this a social zone.”
Food vendors include Blue Island businesses Beggars Pizza, Josefina Y Sus Delicias and Pollo Locuas; Gran Nans Kitchen from Chicago’s South Side and ParTea from Orland Park.
Mai Fest activities include Blue Island Public Library’s crown-making station and Beverly-based Brendan McAlinden’s public art project in which children can participate.
“This year we were looking at really boosting the festival component of it and having it be more of a scene,” Leamanczyk said.
“We wanted to have a couple more things for kids this year. We wanted to have more participatory things. We knew we wanted live music to dovetail with that whole vibe.”
New this year, live music includes All Country Runners, Blue Island resident Carlos Lopez, Chandelier and Old Style Neon.
“We want to celebrate as many different forms of art and creation as we can. Music adds so much to the atmosphere,” Leamanczyk said.
Attendees also may visit Olde Western businesses including Blue Island Beer Co., BUB Café, Rock Island Public House and Vada Winter women’s boutique.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Mai Fest 2024 Arts and Crafts Fair
When: noon-5 p.m. May 11
Where: Broadway and Olde Western Avenue, running north on Olde Western and curving east onto Canal Street, Blue Island
Tickets: free
Information: facebook.com/blueislandartsalliance