Thousands of people attended the 42nd Port Clinton Art Festival in downtown Highland Park, presented by Amdur Productions over the two consecutive-day weekend starting Aug. 23.
Noticeable this year was an artistic nod to butterflies.
Butterflies, popular as jewelry, were seen on canvas and as three-dimensional wall-mounted glass art pieces. A green butterfly work by Clearwater, Florida cast glass artist Marlene Rose was selected for the 2025 show promotional poster.
“It was inspired by my daughters when they were babies,” Rose said. “And, you know, they were interested in everything flying and ‘Oh, I wish I could fly,’ and I started looking at that and I thought, ‘What an incredible symbol of who we can become.’
“So that to me was the inspiration of the butterflies,” Rose added. “It’s a wonderful, spiritual symbol.”
This year’s charity event partner was WINGS of Rolling Meadows, a domestic violence service provider. And visiting with patrons on the downtown festival grounds was circus performing artist and stilt walker Chantal Bustamante of Niles who wore colorful bright butterfly wings.
Amy Amdur of Highland Park, president of Amdur Productions, a fine arts festival company Amdur founded in 1984, also wears a butterfly necklace worn by her mother, the late Barbara Amdur. Amy Amdur created what became the Port Clinton Art Festival.
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“She was a big support of mine when I launched this festival,” Barbara’s daughter said.
“Butterflies represent, “rebirth, growth…beauty,” Amdur added. “I think the butterflies are a perfect symbol for us right now as we go through these sometimes challenging times.
“It’s all about the butterflies.”
The weekend weather was sunny and in the 80-degree range. Midways filled up quickly after the 10 a.m. show opening on Saturday. Many patrons carried open umbrellas to manage full sun.
People brought their leashed pups and families with small children visited the youth artists area in Port Clinton Square where large bubble making offered the opportunity to try bubble art before buying from a vendor.
The Port Clinton Art Festival is often an end-of-summer tradition for many families. School starts for many Lake County children in August.
Marissa Pines of Highland Park, the parent of the Berman siblings, Sydney, 5, a kindergartner, Maddie, almost 8, a third-grader, and Remy, 3, visited the face painting booth where kids could select designs painted also on their arms. Remy picked yellow Pikachu Pokémon facial art.
About the Port Clinton Art Festival, “It is a wonderful way to bring the surrounding community together,” Pines said.
“I grew up in Highland Park and I have been coming to this art fair my whole life and it is so much fun to bring my kids back here.”
Marissa Pines is of the Highland Park High School Class of 2002.
“It’s a community that loves art,” Pines added, “and it’s a community that loves to come together and support artists and celebrate it.
“It’s a great way to bring the generations together too.”
Save the weekend dates for Sept. 13 and Sept. 14 for the new Highwood Arts, Crafts, and Drafts event in downtown Highwood. This launch Highwood event is also an Amdur production.
See https://amdurproductions.com/highwood-arts-crafts-and-drafts-2/.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.