The annual Waterloo Arts Festival transformed the Waterloo Arts and Entertainment District into a celebration of creativity, music and community on Saturday, September 13.

Now in its 24th year, the festival highlights the neighborhood’s creativity. This year's event featured over 90 local maker booths, 10 fine art galleries, multiple performance stages and hands-on activities for  attendees of all ages. Visitors shopped for handmade goods, from ceramics and jewelry to hand-me-downs and baked treats.

Attendees could also participate in projects like the Remember Love Recovery Project, which encouraged people to create “Recovery Flags” to destigmatize addiction and promote positivity. 

Children explored the Kid Zone, which offered crafts, a playground and building activities, while street performers roamed the district.

“The energy was amazing," said Kayla White, a frequent attendee. "Every booth had people stopping by and the musical performances drew great crowds. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the variety of art and music.”

Music played a central role in the festival, with eight stages hosting more than 40 bands ranging from all different genres.
 

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Alex Razayeski is the guitarist with Cleveland band Recess.

 “The Waterloo Festival really strikes a balance between an arts festival and a music festival,” Razayeski said. “It doesn’t lean too heavily one way or the other, but instead finds a nice middle ground. The energy there feels built-in — you don’t have to be a well-known band for the crowd to vibe with you. They were incredibly interactive and responsive during our set, which made performing even more fun.” 
 

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Street performers added their own flair. Gerri McCully, a professional hoola-hooper and owner of All The Hoopla, entertained crowds while sharing her own Cleveland roots. 

“I’d say I’m definitely a street performer,” McCully said. “I first started by dancing in front of the bands while they were playing, but people reacted so positively that I eventually moved out into the open.”

“For me, it’s all about making people smile, so it means a lot that you see it as interesting,” she added, “I also went to Cleveland State — I’m actually a double alum in business administration and marketing. My time there was really meaningful to me.”
 

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“Recess definitely stood out to me,” White said. “They put on such a high-energy show and they’re fun to watch. My favorite part was watching other people discover and enjoy the art. I love seeing people’s reactions when they connect with new artists and hearing the excitement in their conversations.”
 

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Adding to the festival’s lively environment were the many dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds, happily accompanying their owners through the streets of Waterloo. 

From tiny pups peeking out of tote bags, to big, playful dogs enjoying the open space, an extra layer of joy was brought to the day. 

The festival will return next year, once again bringing  together to celebrate local artists, musicians and community once again.