Thousands Expected At Memorial Day Weekend East End Mosaic Street Painting Festival

East End Arts’ 22nd Annual Community Mosaic Street Painting Festival – which features artisans, craft vendors, food trucks, and more – will be held on Sunday, May 27, from 12 to 5 p.m. The Festival will run between Roanoke Avenue and East Avenue, along East Main Street in downtown Riverhead.

The event draws over 5,000 local residents and tourists to Riverhead over Memorial Day weekend each year and has become a tradition for family and friends as well as the many artists, musicians and other creative spirits. The Festival will host live music, dancing, crafts people selling handmade items and street painters and feature “I Madonnari”, a timeless street chalk art dating back to the 16th century.

Those interested in joining the festivities may pre-register to reserve a sponsored square, which are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Additionally, street painting squares can be purchased for $20 (materials included) on the day of the event.

New this year, East End Arts is partnering with Long Island Cares, Inc. Founded in 1980 by the late Harry Chapin, the organization aids the food insecure on Long Island, providing outreach to many communities. Their goals, as stated in their mission statement, are “to improve food security for families, sponsor programs that help families achieve self-sufficiency, and educate the general public about the causes and consequences of hunger on Long Island.” Their vision is “A Hunger Free Long Island.”

East End Arts asks that festivalgoers bring a non-perishable food item to help fill the Long Island Cares Harry Chapin Food Bank. The most needed food items are: low-fat, boxed and non-refrigerated milk; rice; canned vegetables; cooking oil; pasta; tomato sauce; cereal; canned meat, poultry and fish; peanut butter and jams. Donated items should be in boxes, cans or plastic bottles, not requiring refrigeration. Items that are low sugar/sodium and free of high fructose corn syrup are highly encouraged. There will be a booth and table hosted by Long Island Cares for drop off. Each donation will enters participants in a raffle for Splish Splash tickets.

“East End Arts is honored to be partnering this year with LI Cares, an organization that works tirelessly to provide for the humanitarian needs of Long Island communities,” said Patricia Snyder, Executive Director of East Ends Arts. “With our commitment to building and enriching our communities through the arts I hope the Community Mosaic, a beloved annual family festival will contribute to raising the public’s consciousness and inspire new ways to create social awareness to our youth and communities.”

The Long Island Creative Vortex, an East End Arts partner, will also unveil a multi artist display Made You Look – A Show of Reflections. The collection highlights the works of 20 artists that will present their one-of-a-kind art exhibition on view in the Carriage House. Visitors are encouraged to create their own creative art interpretations.

“East End is thrilled to be partnering with two innovative organizations – both who are bringing awareness to current social issues. Raising the public’s consciousness through art is so rewarding, as art is a universal language,” added Snyder.

East End Arts,the award-winning non-for-profit also operates a School of the Arts, an Art Gallery, and presents a variety of events and programs to promote the arts year-round. Proceeds from all events, sales, classes, donations, and memberships benefit the mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.

Admission to the fair is free.

For more information and rain dates, visit www.eastendarts.org or call 631-727-0900.