City of the Hills Festival: A Celebration of Regional Arts & Community

CATSKILLS REGION - Oneonta’s long-standing arts fest, City of the Hills Festival, pops up on Main Street in historic Downtown Oneonta this year on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, noon-5pm to showcase the many talented artists and creatives in the region. Presented by the Community Arts Network of Oneonta, this free community rooted event welcomes thousands of attendees each year. Over 150 artists and creatives engage residents and visitors through dance, drag, live music, stilt walking, art activities and more.

This year, the festival showcases about 60 vendors who create everything from artisan hot sauces to fine art to jewelry. The focus is on craft and quality. While the fest hosts returning vendors, there are many new ones to visit too. Oneonta-based food trucks and restaurants will provide everything from quick bites to an intimate dining experience. Oneonta’s small businesses and venues open their doors to attendees all weekend so there is plenty to explore off of Main Street.

Musical acts Whiskey West and Becca Frame & the Tall Boys perform on Muller Plaza starting at noon Saturday with Draglesque ending the day’s performances. Throughout the weekend, attendees can catch solo performances by Drue, Kevin Harrington, Jay Hamilton and Jusadjus and the Mobile Funk Machine at Ford and Main Street. Drew Kiddoo & the Blackouts, Ok! Crew and the Witch engage audiences with original country, dance and alternative rock. Stilt walker Fairy Tall will be up and down Main 2-5pm. Binghamton’s Caviar & Grits end the festival with soul and funk.

FOR-DO hosts activities for youths of all ages Saturday. Two changes this year is an expansion of free arts activities for people of all ages and additional face painters. Festival goers can visit, create and share art at the Tiny Art Gallery created by artist Sara Christoff. Artists will be on hand to coordinate CANO’s art activities area so festival goers can create their own projects.

Attendees of the festival are encouraged to make Oneonta a destination all weekend. In addition to enjoying food and drink at Oneonta’s many bars and restaurants, Oneonta’s Mopar Cams performs with Woodshed Prophets Friday night at Bside Ballroom. On Saturday after the festival, the Public Arts Commission is celebrating the gorgeous 3,200 square foot mural created by professional muralist Yulia Avgustinovich with a reception 5-7pm at the new Transit Hub and Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center is hosting a film screening and panel discussion of the Blair Witch Project at 7pm.

A vendor map, timeline of activities and performances and other information is available at cityofthehillsfest.org and City of the Hills Festival’s Facebook and Instagram.