North End Arts and Music Fest
The North End Arts and Music Fest was started in 2009 and has been held every year since, except for the pandemic year of 2020. The Fest, held at various sites in northeast Waterloo over the years, brings together performing artists of all ages to display their talents before the community. In 2020, in lieu of an in-person Fest, we recorded and electronically disseminated performances by local artists, and these have drawn considerable attention in the online media world. The visual arts have also been featured at our in-person Fests, including panels by various local artists. Every year, the Youth Art Team provides a booth to showcase the talents of the kids whom they work with. In addition, the Fest includes food booths by local entrepreneurs, and information booths about local services.
In 2018, we began a partnership with the annual KBBG Community Parade and with the annual drill team competition, which attracts teams from all over the Midwest as well as local groups. In 2021, we took over full management of the parade. Our collaboration on the parade has helped preserve it as a vital community event, as well as increasing attendance at the Fest. We typically have a dozen performing artists, several visual artists, and 4-6 small businesses participate. Attendance ranges from 2000 to 2500.