Manheim may be a small town, but it has a rich and thriving arts scene. With that in mind, the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Manheim Arts Festival on Saturday, April 11, from noon to 4 p.m. Activities will take place in and around Market Square.

"After five years of hosting 1st Thursdays, we wanted to pivot and offer something different to the community," said Kristie Schmid, executive director of the Chamber. "Manheim has a rich arts community, so this festival came together very organically."

The event will begin with an artist quick draw. Artists may sign up on the day of the event from 10 a.m. to noon. From noon to 2 p.m., artists will create their work in Market Square before setting their art up for judging, display and sales from 2 to 3 p.m. The public is invited to watch the artists race against the clock to complete their creations.

Judging will take place at 3 p.m., and prize winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. From 3:30 to 4 p.m., artwork will be displayed and sold.

The festival will feature fine art vendors, artist demonstrations, food and beverages, live music, kids' activities and more.

"We have artists from all over Lancaster and Lebanon counties attending," Schmid said.

Manheim artists will include April Downey (photography), Cindy Hanna (stained and fused glass), ClayHouse Arts (raku pottery demonstration), Hannah C. Weston (calligraphy), LaForge & Company (blacksmith), Liz Bardach (felted painting), Radiant Flora (stained glass, encasing preserved plants) and Rox Shenenberger (mixed-media acrylic painting and drawing).

Food will be available for purchase during the event, with vendors including Gourmet Julie's Way, Today's Grind Coffee Company and Twisted Sisters Ice Cream and Handmade Chocolates, all members of the Chamber.

The festival will also serve as a kickoff to a self-guided Mural Walk, which will then be available at http://www.lovemanheim.com.

"Murals are proven to strengthen local identity and pride, boost tourism and foot traffic and support local economic growth," Schmid said. "The Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce has invested in two large mural projects in the past two years. Horst Arts has been instrumental in these projects and many others in Manheim. They are spearheading this Mural Walk that will guide participants to visit each mural, some of which will have interactive activities available during the event."

She noted that the Manheim Arts Festival will offer entertainment for people of all ages.

"We hope the community will support this new event," she said. "Even if you're not in the market for art, there will be plenty to do and see. We will have live artist demonstrations going on throughout the event, great food/drink, a free kids' zone at Zion Lutheran Preschool and live jazz music in the gazebo. We'll also have two interactive walks featuring murals and stained glass. The Manheim Historical Society will host artists in the Fasig and Keath houses on East Main Street."

Schmid emphasized her gratitude for the event's sponsors, including presenting sponsors AES Clean Technology, Jonestown Bank & Trust and Utility Keystone Trailer Sales.

"This is not a craft fair but an arts festival," she stated. "We've curated a list of artists that we're really proud to host at the event!"

The rain date for the festival will be Saturday, April 18. For more information on the event, visit https://lovemanheim.com/manheim-arts-festival.