Join us for an exciting chalk the walk art activity! No experience needed and no cost to participate. (Space is limited and will be available on a first come first serve basis).

YSU Campus Recreation and YSU Athletics will have cornhole, giant Connect Four, and coloring pages at the Summer Festival of the Arts. Stop by and enter for a chance to win a Campus Rec prize basket or ticket vouchers for the upcoming season.

Family-friendly activities including face painting, hair tinsel, a glitter bar, princess crowns, glitter tattoos, and hair feathers.

SMARTS, your community art school will be leading hands-on arts activities for children of all ages at the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts. SMARTS has provided free PK-12 classes in visual art, music, dance, theater and creative writing since 1997 and is conveniently located in historic downtown Youngstown. For more information about SMARTS, visit www.SMARTSArtSchool.org or call 330-574-2787.

Located in room 241 on the lower level of Cushwa Hall, explore the history of medicine & dentistry including an Iron Lung respirator! Then have some fun guessing the use of historical medical tools from the collection before checking your answers with images of the modern tools. Entrances near Lincoln Avenue. Activities for all ages.

The McDonough Museum will offer an art scavenger hunt for all ages. The artwork of alumni Jason Van Hoose and Jeffrey Piper will be featured, along with internationally renowned artist Mike Egan and student artwork from the Inspiring Minds program.

Calling all book lovers! Stop by the outdoor book sale on the Butler Art side of Maag library (indoor lobby if it rains) and browse a wide selection of gently used books for all ages. Purchases are by donation and proceeds benefit the library. Whether you’re hunting for summer reads, academic gems or hidden literary treasures, there’s something for everyone.

Also known as Bob Augustine, Folk Indie Bob brings heartfelt lyrics and acoustic charm straight from Pittsburgh’s vibrant folk scene. His thoughtful songwriting, soulful vocals, and laid-back melodies are sure to start the day on a reflective, feel-good note. Expect memorable originals like “Smile for Peace” and “Dropped Off Dog” that stay with you long after the last chord.

The Butler will host art engagement activities and a scavenger hunt for kids of all ages. Admission is always free.

Step into the rich industrial history of the Mahoning Valley with a special guided tour of the Grit and Glow exhibition at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor. Explore the stories, artifacts, and innovations that defined generations of local steelworkers.

Visit the Grit and Glow exhibition at the Steel Museum, celebrating the legacy of Greater Mahoning Valley steelworkers. Special guided tours are available during festival weekend.

Located in the first floor lobby of Moser Hall, visitors of all ages are welcome to stroll through the museum at their leisure.  Short activity sheets that relate to the displays will be provided including scavenger hunt and “I Spy” type activities.  Admission is always free!

Get ready to rock with Tundra Tuxedo, one of the most exciting young bands in the region! Rooted in rock ’n’ roll and powered by raw talent, this group brings high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing sound to every stage. All members are alumni or students of YSU’s Dana School of Music, making their homecoming performance one you won’t want to miss.

Hourly shows starting at 12pm through 4:00pm. Doors open at 11:30am both days.

12pm – One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
1pm- Moons Worlds of Mystery
2pm – Perfect Little Planet
3pm – Summer Skywatch
4pm – First and Farthest

Join a knowledgeable museum guide for a walkthrough of the McDonough Museum’s featured exhibitions. You’ll explore works by alumni artists Jason Van Hoose and Jeffrey Piper, internationally acclaimed artist Mike Egan, and powerful pieces by local students in the Inspiring Minds program. Learn the stories behind the artwork and gain a deeper appreciation for the creative voices shaping our region. Perfect for families, art lovers, and the simply curious!

Featuring former Michael Stanley Band guitarist Gary Markasky, this powerhouse group brings classic rock flair with soaring solos and tight musicianship. Backed by a seasoned crew of Ohio-based pros, The Gary Markasky Project delivers electrifying performances filled with decades of rock history and a love for the stage you can feel.

Step into the rich industrial history of the Mahoning Valley with a special guided tour of the Grit and Glow exhibition at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor. Explore the stories, artifacts, and innovations that defined generations of local steelworkers.

Encounter a celebration of art and culture through the Humanities and Social Sciences. These disciplines are not dusty books; they are active and vital explorations of human creativity. Located at the entrance to Cushwa Hall.

Join a knowledgeable museum guide for a walkthrough of the McDonough Museum’s featured exhibitions. You’ll explore works by alumni artists Jason Van Hoose and Jeffrey Piper, internationally acclaimed artist Mike Egan, and powerful pieces by local students in the Inspiring Minds program. Learn the stories behind the artwork and gain a deeper appreciation for the creative voices shaping our region. Perfect for families, art lovers, and the simply curious!

Join us for an exciting chalk the walk art activity! No experience needed and no cost to participate. (Space is limited and will be available on a first come first serve basis).

YSU Campus Recreation and YSU Athletics will have cornhole, giant Connect Four, and coloring pages at the Summer Festival of the Arts. Stop by and enter for a chance to win a Campus Rec prize basket or ticket vouchers for the upcoming season.

Family-friendly activities including face painting, hair tinsel, a glitter bar, princess crowns, glitter tattoos, and hair feathers.

SMARTS, your community art school will be leading hands-on arts activities for children of all ages at the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts. SMARTS has provided free PK-12 classes in visual art, music, dance, theater and creative writing since 1997 and is conveniently located in historic downtown Youngstown. For more information about SMARTS, visit www.SMARTSArtSchool.org or call 330-574-2787.

Located in room 241 on the lower level of Cushwa Hall, explore the history of medicine & dentistry including an Iron Lung respirator! Then have some fun guessing the use of historical medical tools from the collection before checking your answers with images of the modern tools. Entrances near Lincoln Avenue. Activities for all ages.

Located in the first floor lobby of Moser Hall, visitors of all ages are welcome to stroll through the museum at their leisure.  Short activity sheets that relate to the displays will be provided including scavenger hunt and “I Spy” type activities.  Admission is always free!

Calling all book lovers! Stop by the outdoor book sale on the Butler Art side of Maag library (indoor lobby if it rains) and browse a wide selection of gently used books for all ages. Purchases are by donation and proceeds benefit the library. Whether you’re hunting for summer reads, academic gems or hidden literary treasures, there’s something for everyone.

Professor by day and rock troubadour by night, Brian Bonhomme brings a rich musical history from the UK to the YSU stage. Formerly of the chart-topping band Roman Holliday, his solo performances feature timeless hits from The Beatles, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, and more—blending nostalgia with masterful guitar work and a smooth voice.

The Butler will host art engagement activities and a scavenger hunt for kids of all ages. Admission is always free.

Experience the powerful and soulful voice of Rachell Joy-Tupaj, a celebrated vocalist with a dynamic background in gospel, musical theater, and community performance. From USO tours to local stages, Rachell brings decades of heartfelt music and storytelling to every show. Her performance promises a moving and inspiring set you won’t want to miss.

Hourly shows starting at 12pm through 4:00pm. Doors open at 11:30am both days.

12pm – One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
1pm- Moons Worlds of Mystery
2pm – Perfect Little Planet
3pm – Summer Skywatch
4pm – First and Farthest

Visit the Grit and Glow exhibition at the Steel Museum, celebrating the legacy of Greater Mahoning Valley steelworkers. Special guided tours are available during festival weekend.

With a voice that hits your soul and songwriting that cuts to the heart, Leanne Binder is a force of nature. Her blend of rock, blues, and gospel has taken her from Youngstown to Nashville and stages across the UK. Binder’s powerful presence and heartfelt delivery are sure to be one of the weekend’s standout performances.

Get ready for a high-octane country-rock show with Chris Higbee, the fiddle-playing showman behind hits like “Fiddles Rock” and “Barn Party.” A founding member of the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, Higbee’s wild stage energy, heartfelt lyrics, and incredible musicianship make for a can’t-miss set that blends country charm with rock edge.

Step into the rich industrial history of the Mahoning Valley with a special guided tour of the Grit and Glow exhibition at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor. Explore the stories, artifacts, and innovations that defined generations of local steelworkers.

Closing out the festival is JD Eicher, a celebrated singer-songwriter with national acclaim and deep Youngstown roots. Known for his smooth vocals and introspective lyrics, Eicher’s music has been featured alongside author Nicholas Sparks and heard on radio, TV, and stages across the country. His heartfelt melodies and warm storytelling are the perfect way to wrap up a weekend of celebration.