Reflections on 2018: Embracing Our Heritage Through Art at the Gate 5 Industrial Arts Festival
In another impressive first for the city of Weirton, more than 550 people braved a 60 percent chance of rain on Saturday, October 20 to attend the inaugural Gate 5 Industrial Art Festival.
This festival was developed to be the centerpiece for the city’s cultural development and revitalization. With 7 organizations working together, the festival produced over $23,000 in revenue, over 67,000 social media posts, 465 social media “likes”, $6,900 in sponsor donations, and visitors from 32 different zip codes.
More than 75 people attended the Steampunk Fashion Show, making it a standing-room only event, more than 100 people helped create a mosaic out of Homer Laughlin China pieces with artist Elaine Klar, and 80 people took part in the townwide puzzle hunt. There were 19 carefully-juried artisans, 9 contracted food vendors, 115 Tin Man 5k registrations, and 5 rock star bands including Strutter, the KISS tribute band.
As a new year dawns, the city looks forward to making this a cultural staple and an annual tradition.
