On Sept. 14 and 15, the 68th annual Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival was held in Old Mill Park. At the festival, local artists set up booths to showcase and sell their work, including paintings, ceramics, and jewelry. Ticket prices vary from 18 to 25 dollars, but students carrying their student IDs receive free entry. The festival presents a variety of artistic styles in a quaint redwood grove, and is a must-visit for all art lovers.
The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1957 when shop owners began encouraging local artists to display their art in shop windows. In 1962, the festival permanently moved to Old Mill Park in Mill Valley.
At the festival, artists exhibit their creations to sell, with the tune of live music in the background, children’s activities, and delicious food pop-up stands. 157 booths display a variety of products, from brooms to scarves, for customers to explore and purchase.
Every hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can listen to different local and national bands perform country and blues music on the intimate main stage. Children can explore the Children’s Grove next to the playground, which offers face paint, magic tricks, puppet shows, storytimes, and sing-a-longs. The beautiful trees and art, the breathtaking set-up of the decorations and stands, and the Children’s Grove give the festival an earthy feel.
The Mill Valley Arts Festival differentiated itself by the variety not just in art, but also in music and food options, and an atmospheric redwood forest setting. The vendors and festival visitors were chatty and welcoming. The community came together to support local businesses by volunteering, purchasing, and browsing.
Food trucks lined up in the back of the redwood grove offered a variety of options, including sushi, fruit juices, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, and ice cream. Although most of the food was meat-based, there was a vegetarian stand called Juicinda Juice. Prices varied depending on the food truck, but overall they were relatively low.
The festival caters to visitors interested in nature, arts, and music, as well as parents with young children. Teenagers or adults who prefer fast-paced activities and don’t find those subjects interesting may find this festival slow or underwhelming.
The booths displayed an array of handmade goods. One booth displayed AzureBlue Textiles made by artist Kathy McHenry, her booth consisting of bags, coats, and cloths made from repurposed hand-woven textiles from Guatemala. Her bags stood out with their utilized a variety of painting techniques including abstract realism, modern art, printmaking, and rendings.
Other unique stands included Damien Jones Art, with large ceramic fountains covered in colorful, intricate designs, and Malen Pierson’s welded, animal-like sculptures, crafted with recycled scrap pieces from junkyards, farms, and antique stores.
The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival Poster Artist winner, María Isaura Troncoso, displayed her piece “Blossom Bamba,” a beautiful floral painting created with watercolor and ink representing the healing powers of nature. T-shirts sold at the festival and the cover of the festival program showcased the painting.
Whether you’re a fall or art lover, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is a scenic place to connect with the community and support local artists. It’s family-friendly; adults can enjoy food and drinks by the Old Mill Creek while children play in the Children’s Grove. Don’t forget your hoodies and cardigans because it can get a little chilly. The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival earns 3.5/5 feathers, as it lacks the rambunctious energy present at similar events.
