Artfest organizers in Vandergrift are planning a bigger-than-ever festival this summer on the heels last year’s success.

More than 1,000 folks visited a closed-off Grant Avenue last August, during the daylong festival celebrating all things arts.

The annual Artfest is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 31. Chairperson and volunteer Lisa Dormire is hoping to spread the word of the festival to potential vendors.

“We have almost 100 vendors, artists and food trucks registered and a great lineup of music,” Dormire said.

But there’s room to make it even bigger, organizers said.

Free to the public, Artfest is organized by the Vandergrift Improvement Program, a nonprofit borough revitalization organization.

The rain-or-shine festival features live music, regional artists, children’s activities, food and more.

Two separate stages will showcase continuous live music.

Grant and Columbia avenues will be closed to vehicle traffic from noon to 8 p.m.

“It was so packed last year,” said Eric Mikula, co-owner of Sweetlane Chocolate Shop. “We sold more than 300 milkshakes. It exceeded our expectations.”

Councilwoman Marilee Kessler coordinates the large raffle basket fundraiser and helped to choose an event theme.

This year’s theme is “Wonderland,” inspired by the Disney classic film “Alice in Wonderland.”

“It seemed to catch everyone’s attention. It’s a universally known and loved-by-all theme,” Kessler said.

Vandergrift resident and mural artist Alex Chaffins recently volunteered his time painting an oversized Wonderland-themed mural on his garage in honor of this year’s festival.

“I wanted to add more excitment to the town for Artfest,” Chaffins said.

The Vandergrift Presbyterian Church, located at Washington and Columbia avenues, will serve as an indoor cooling station if summer temps soar into the uncomfortable range.

The Palette Project, featuring popular oversized wooden palettes on display outside on sidewalks throughout the borough, remain an Artfest tradition.

But palette sponsors are still needed, Dormire said. Individuals are invited to sponsor a palette for $125 each and paint it with the design of their choice.

The completed palettes are displayed on sidewalks around the borough remain there for weeks after Artfest.

Artfest volunteers Norm and Joyce Myers from Myers Print Shop coordinate the Palette Project.

All funds raised go toward sustaining next year’s Artfest.

Anyone wishing to volunteer, be a vendor, sponsor a palette or donate a raffle basket is asked to contact Marilee Kessler at 724-454-1625.

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