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Elgin spent the weekend celebrating local creativity with a four-day arts and culture festival that brought artists, musicians and community groups together to showcase all the city has to offer.
The Explore Elgin Arts and Culture weekend ran May 8–11 and featured dozens of events, including art shows, studio tours, hands-on workshops, storytelling, live performances and farm visits. The experience was organized as a collaborative effort between local organizations and businesses to highlight the area’s cultural diversity and community talent.
“We have great music, art and events—but it’s really our volunteers who make things special,” Main Street Manager Kristina Alvarez said.
The festival was coordinated by the Elgin Art Association, Elgin Main Street Board, Elgin Public Library, Elgin Farmers’ Market, Elgin Parks and Recreation, La Cultura Market and other local sponsors.
Events were spread across venues large and small, with art installations at LoFi Coffee, The Clever Tiger and the Elgin Depot Museum, among others.
Friday night’s Music in the Park featured performances by Major Darlin’ and The Cove, while Saturday included studio tours, typewriter poetry and a backyard cookout. A Mother’s Day cookie decorating class closed out the weekend Sunday afternoon.
Along with live music and art, the weekend also included opportunities for learning and participation, such as traditional blacksmithing, wine glass painting and a storytelling series by local artist David Thompson.
Organizers said the goal was to create an accessible and family-friendly event that invited everyone to explore what makes Elgin’s creative community unique. They emphasized that this talent is on display all year long and encouraged residents to get out and explore on their own.
