MARBLEHEAD — As a veil of fog settled over Marblehead Harbor Sunday night, the rhythmic wash of waves was joined by the soft pop of champagne corks at the Festival of Arts Champagne Reception, in anticipation of the festival ahead.
The historic Fort Sewall was the backdrop of this yearly event and fundraiser for the festival. A large tent, featuring food vendors, kept attendees well fed, as the event’s champagne began to flow and the Rule of 3 Experience band rocked the harbor.
Attendees are encouraged to “dress to impress, wear your dancing shoes, and bring your best hat!” according to the festival’s website.
Marblehead did just that, with all the colors of summer on display, including festive hats. Some, like Brenda Kelley Kim’s, were homemade.
This year was Kelley Kim’s third time at the reception, and her third year creating a cod art piece for the annual festival.
Dressed in her handmade hat and a blue and white dress, she said, “I love it every year. Every year, I’ve made a hat. This one took me a little longer than I planned.”
She added, “It’s a fun time. It’s a way to be creative, and it’s a way to be part of the community.”
Kelley Kim said, “I just love seeing everybody come out in their outfits and how they decide to represent and show up. It’s all about showing up, and I love to see how people do that in their own individual spaces.”
Amid the colorful hats and tasteful florals that made up the reception outfits, several vendors set up booths showcasing local businesses and culinary artisans, including the town’s very own, Like Mom Made Marblehead, run by resident Kristin DuBay Horton, served up freshly baked pies to attendees.
DuBay Horton said one of the festival’s greatest strengths is its diversity, noting that it celebrates many forms of creativity, including writing and music, not just visual art.
She added that the event is “really fabulous,” praising its celebration of culinary arts and music on display. Horton said that when she first attended, she thought the festival focused solely on artwork displayed on walls, but has since come to appreciate its much broader artistic scope.
Michael Fox and his wife, Laura Whitehill, are in town visiting family and were drawn to the festival’s tradition and showcase of local vendors.
Whitehill, originally from Marblehead, said she recalled going to the festival at a very young age and has even submitted art to the festival.
Another musical group, tucked outside the entrance of the festival, The Atlantic Quartet,
played as attendees filed in. Their group name honors a member of the quartet who has passed away, Cheryl Campbell, whose music stand was at the event.
