The 42nd annual DubuqueFest will be hosted by the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, August 7 and 8, 2021, in the heart of Dubuque’s historic downtown in Washington Park. This free, 2-day arts festival welcomes all to experience arts and culture through a juried art fair, live music performances, and literary arts activities.
Since 1977, the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society has produced Iowa’s longest running arts festival, now known as DubuqueFest. This year’s event will include partnership with the City of Dubuque’s opening reception for its newest Art on The River exhibit and collaboration with the Dubuque Museum of Art.
To kick off festivities, the Dubuque Area Writers Guild, an affiliate of the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society, will host its annual anthology release with readings by local authors at the Alliant Energy Amphitheater on Friday, August 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. Copies of the anthology will be available for purchase during the kickoff event, throughout DubuqueFest, or at RiverLights Book Store following the event. This literary event is held in conjunction with the City of Dubuque’s Art on the River opening reception, set for Friday, August 6 from 5-7 p.m. with details at www.cityofdubuque.org/artontheriver.
The fair will feature over 20 artists and their work for sale at booths throughout the
park. Jewelry artists, glassworkers, painters, photographers, sculptors, potters, mixed media artists, and more from the tri-state area and beyond have been juried into this year’s event.
The Dubuque Museum of Art and Hillcrest Family Services will offer a tented, no-cost Creation Station for all ages both days, staffed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A variety of hands-on ‘make-and-take’ projects with instruction will be available.
Throughout the weekend, DubuqueFest will continue its tradition of live music performed by regional talent. Both days include intimate performances as follows:
● Saturday, August 7 from 12-2 p.m.: Andy Wilberding
● Saturday, August 7 from 3-5 p.m.: Jacquie Miller
● Sunday, August 8 from 2-4 p.m.: Sam Day
