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| - The Tempe Arts Festival rolls around twice a year: Once in March and once in November, if my memory serves me well. Mill Avenue closes down for a weekend and big tents go up, and they fill up with local artists selling their crafts. They have beauty products, paintings, jewelry, statues, clothing, music, and everything in between. I found an amazing handmade steampunk ring for my roommate this past Christmas that she just adores, and I have purchased lots of various gifts here in the past. The food is calorifically delicious, albiet expensive. There is plenty of live entertainment (music and jugglers and all that fun stuff) and even a section for kids to make their own crafts.
I really love having such a lively little (big?) festival so close to my home (biking distance, hooray!), and I'd like to give it five stars, but honestly after coming here twice a year for the past few years, little has changed (if anything). It's always the same vendors, and unfortunately, a lot of the vendors sell the same things (if you're looking for an exhaustive selection of native american art, flock to this place). I'd love to see more variety and novelty in the future. I'll still be making my rounds when it comes to town and perhaps partake in purchasing a few locally made items, but let's change it up a little! If you're a local artist, check it out and see if maybe you should showcase your work here.
Also note that admission is free, so I would highly suggest for you to at least check it out. Nothing to lose!
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