By Kelly Cantwell
Editor
Main Street in the village of Batavia saw a consistent flow of people on Aug. 20 during the first Art in August event.
“I think it was a success,” said Kathy McCoy Leone, one of the organizers. Vicki Watkins, owner of Under The Stars, and Martha Enriquez, owner of Pine Lane Soaps, also organized the event.
The women planned the event as a way to attract people into Batavia, with the hope that they would create returning visitors and more business, Watkins said in June.
“I think it was great,” said event goer Tona Kohler. She brought her grandchildren with her.
While Kohler has lived in the village for awhile, she felt that this helped her get to know where businesses are on Main Street.
Attendees Robert and Brittany Jaspers, also of Batavia, echoed Kohler’s sentiments.
“We found some new shops,” Brittany Jaspers said. The two happened to be driving by and stopped to walk around.
Visitors to the event were able to talk to artists, purchase art, jewelry and crafts, enjoy food and listen to live music.
Frankie Hann, of Loveland, was one of the artists who had a booth at the event. She has been creating art for more than 10 years, but only recently started selling her pieces.
“I’m just trying to get my name out there,” Hann said.
She felt that the event helped with that; there were a lot of visitors to her booth.
Leone has not had much feedback so far, but what she has received has been positive. People commented especially on how great the volunteers were, and Leone was impressed at how clean the street was afterwards.
The village was a great setting for the event, as the courthouse provided a nice area to set up musicians and the landscaping in the street medians made the street look pleasant, Leone said.
She thinks that they will definitely plan Art in August again.