Windsor’s beloved Art in the Park festival returned for its 47th annual edition, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the leafy grounds of Willistead Park over the weekend of June 6-7, 2026. With warm and sunny weather, attendees enjoyed a diverse array of art, handmade crafts, and artisan food.
Record Number of Vendors
This year’s event featured a record 307 vendors, including 70 newcomers, according to Allan Kidd, chair of Art in the Park. “I don’t think I can squeeze more in at this point,” Kidd said, noting that the festival turns away hundreds of applicants annually. “We’re blessed because people are so eager to get in that we can kind of be choosy about who we let in.”
Expanded Food Options
Highlights of the 2026 edition included waffle and ice cream vendors, as well as an expanded food selection featuring new Greek, Italian, Korean, and Thai cuisines. Kidd emphasized that the variety of food offerings was a major draw for attendees.
Kidz Biz in the Park
For the first time, the festival introduced Kidz Biz, a dedicated space where 50 young entrepreneurs aged 5 to 17 set up small businesses. Martin Vaughan, co-founder and CEO of AWE Academy and organizer of Kidz Biz, explained the initiative: “Kidz Biz in the Park is basically an opportunity for kids to have a shot at starting your business. We’re looking for them to see a need, fill a need, and then put it into action.”
Vaughan noted that the program received 70 applications but could only accommodate 50 over the two-day event. “It’s amazing the things that kids will come up with when you give them a chance, and you give them the ability to dream,” he said. “This is kids dreaming up an idea and executing on that dream.”
Community Impact
All proceeds from the volunteer-run event support the Windsor community through the charitable work of the Rotary Club of Windsor, which has organized the festival since 1978. Kidd highlighted that funds go toward restoration and preservation of Willistead Manor, as well as other local charities. “We gave away about $57,000 to 15 other charities in Windsor just in March,” he said. “At this event, all of these people are philanthropists. They don’t always know it, but that money comes right back to the community. It’s just a win-win-win.”
Art in the Park was first launched in 1970 by the Art Gallery of Windsor, then operating out of Willistead Manor, before the Rotary Club took over in 1978. The event continues to be a cherished tradition, drawing crowds with its unique blend of creativity, community spirit, and entrepreneurial energy.
