Hershey Artfest, an outdoor fine arts and craft show, will be presented by the Hershey History Center on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Cocoa Beanery and Englewood Barn complex, 1215 Research Blvd., Hummelstown.

The event will feature exhibits by artisans who work in a variety of mediums from fine art and ceramics to jewelry and wood. There will be food available to purchase from food trucks, as well as menu items at the Beanery and the Englewood. This year, live music will be performed by Americana folk artist John Rossey.

Hershey Artfest was canceled in 2020. "We revived it last year," said history center executive director Nikki Soliday, noting that it was held with social distancing restrictions. "It was pretty fantastic. I was surprised by the number of vendors and the crowds that showed up. We were one of the first major events coming out of winter and the spring lockdown. This year, we will return to our regular format of how we set up the vendors and artists."

Those who visit the event will be able to browse the arts and crafts at vendor booths, where they will also be able to chat with the artisans and learn about their work. "It's a premier show," said Soliday. "(We feature) fine art - oils, pastels, watercolors - (along with) photography, jewelry and ceramics. We are very particular about the jewelry we take and the ceramics. We want things that are not fabricated from kits. (We feature) anything that is handcrafted."

"We also want to have various price points so that anyone who comes to the show can walk away with something," she added.

The art show has expanded though the years. It was first held at the History Center museum. "This show was 16 years in the making. It began at the museum in Hershey and at one point we had 20 vendors, (including) some photographers and maybe some pastel and watercolor artists," Soliday noted. "When we outgrew the museum, we expanded into the parking lot. Then, we went to the Beanery. We started using it regularly in 2019."

She said the site is an ideal location for the event. "It is a wonderful outdoor venue. It is a great setup, a great location, there are a lot of grassy areas, and it is right across from a prominent location - at Routes 322 and 422. It has access points that are so easy for others coming from the central Pennsylvania region."

"It's a nice, casual day," she continued. "Bring the kids, bring the neighbors and bring your friends. It is a nice social outing."

The Cocoa Beanery and the Englewood Barn complex are located next to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center grounds off Route 322. Admission and parking will be free. For more information about the show and to view information about the participating artisans, visit http://www.hersheyartfest.org.

For more information about the Hershey History Center, visit http://www.hersheyhistory.org or http://www.facebook.com/hersheyhistory.org or call 717-520-0748.