Events

The Fifth Annual Dighton Arts Festival will be held on Sunday, November 1 from10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Araujo Farms and Greenhouses, 1522 Williams Street, Dighton. The festival is sponsored by the Dighton Lions Club. Fine artists and artisans will exhibit, demonstrate their art, and offer their work for sale. Paintings, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, wood carvings, photography, and mosaics are among the many offerings expected at this year’s event. Several musical artists from the area will perform contemporary and traditional folk music throughout the day, led by headliners Atwater and Donnelly, a highly acclaimed husband-wife duo who present delightful programs of traditional American and Celtic folk songs, a capella pieces, old-time gospel songs, dance tunes, and original works. Their music is a blend of gorgeous and unusual vocal harmonies, accompanied by guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, bones, spoons, limberjacks, and other surprises including Appalachian clog dancing, French Canadian footwork, and Tap, with a song selection designed to appeal to audiences of any age. As the festival commemorates its fifth year, it is inviting the emerging musical artists who have appeared in prior years. These include: Mia Boostrom, a quarter-finalist this year on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Sarah Borrello, winner of the 2007 Boston Folk Festival Songwriting Contest, Youth Division; Matt Borrello, a respected artist who has opened shows for well known local and national musicians; Kara and Alex Fortier, playing traditional Celtic and Cape Breton fiddle tunes—all from Dighton; and the Stranges—a family band from nearby Rehoboth, specializing in country rock. Earlier in the day, the Dighton Elementary School Chorus will perform, under the direction of music teacher Brian Michaud, and the day’s music will conclude will a host of young local talent, including Michelle Tetrault, Andrea LeClerc and Julie Araujo. Bob Mullen, co-leader of the festival for the Dighton Lions Club, said “We are delighted, in our fifth year, to have more artists than ever, and an exciting music program with well-known performers. We believe this festival is special because it promotes an appreciation for the arts in the community and spotlights local artists. Children are an important part of our community so we have included activities that help to build an appreciation for the arts among children. And, as always, we are grateful to the Araujo family for opening their greenhouses and for their continuing support of the arts. We couldn’t do this without them.” Children’s art will be featured in the Emerging Artists Gallery where festival visitors can view artwork submitted by local school children. Sarah and Hannah Manuels will return again this year at the face-painting booth. There will be arts and crafts activities for children throughout the day. A few artist exhibit spaces are still available. Information and an artist registration form are available on the festival website dightonart.org/festival or http://festivals.dighton.com