Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival canceled

The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival, scheduled for July 2-5 in Twin Lakes Park, has been canceled.

“It was a difficult decision for the board to make, and we waited as long as we possible could,” said Executive Director Diane Shrader. “But public safety has to come first, and there are still so many unknowns.”

A major factor in the decision was concern for the vendors.

“Our vendors come from as far as California and Florida,” Shrader said. “Would they be able to travel? Could they find hotel rooms? Could we provide for their safety?”

The festival will go on in virtual form, Shrader said. Links to vendor and band websites will be available on the festival website.

Images from the second Art Nationals Fine Art and Photography Exhibition, which would have taken place in the park during the festival, will be posted on the website. They will join images from the first exhibition, originally scheduled for early May at Westmoreland County Community College.

Names of award winners for the first exhibition will be posted May 16, with winners of the second show to be posted June 27, Shrader said.

“This was our 46th year. The festival has been ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 15 in the country by ‘Sunshine Artist’ magazine,” she said. “But this will just give us more time to plan for next year.

“I have a heavy heart,” she said. “I’ve been with the festival since it moved to Twin Lakes, as a visitor, a vendor, a volunteer and now an employee. It’s been with me for a long time, but we need to do what’s best for the public.”

More information will be posted as it becomes available on the festival Facebook page and at artsandheritage.com.