Scraps the Clown (Nick Gatrell), of Bethel, draws a portrait of Barrels the Shriner Clown in chalk Saturday at BAM Fest.
The Bethel Art and Music Festival livened the streets of Bethel Saturday, May 7.annual BAMFest was bigger and better than last year’s inaugural event, according to BAMFest committee chairperson Judi Adams.

“This was only our second event, and it was improved over last year,” Adams said. “Last year we estimated we had 2,000 people attend, and we had a bigger crowd than last year.”

The one-day art and music festival included a juried art exhibit, chalk artists, a quilt show, car show, antique tractor show, a children’s art area, musicians, and food.

This year, organizers arranged the artists and vendors closer together in the village’s downtown area.

“Having it where we did in the center of town, with the food court, music, and activities in one place, made the event much more cohesive,” Children’s Art Committee Chairperson Heather Frost-Hauck said. “This is a fabulous event for the town. It’s nice to see this taking place.”