Arts Around the Square
About Arts Around the Square
Stage Schedule
Artisan & Crafts Vendors
Food & Beverage Vendors
Event FAQs
About Arts Around the Square
Arts Around the Square
Date: Saturday, May 15, 2027 (no rain date)
Times: 10:00am – 4:00pm
For All Ages
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Graham, Around Court Square
Graham Recreation & Parks is excited to bring back the cherished signature event, Arts Around the Square, to Downtown Graham. Originally launched in 1978, this beloved annual spring event ran for 25 consecutive years as a fundraiser sponsored by the Alamance Arts Council.
Join us downtown for Arts Around the Square, a vibrant celebration featuring artisan and craft vendors, live art demonstrations, stages of music and performing arts, engaging activities for kids, and participation from community partners. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to experience the arts in the heart of Graham!
Grab your lawn chairs and set up near the stage to enjoy the music. As a reminder, smoking/vaping, pets, and drones are not allowed at this event. Please visit the “Event FAQs” tab for more information. There is no rain date for Arts Around the Square.
Sharing your favorite moments? Tag us and use #ArtsAroundTheSquare @GrahamRecNC
Art Demonstrations
• TBD
Non-Profit Organizations & Community Partners
- TBD
Downtown Businesses Set Up Within the Event
- TBD
Inclement Weather Updates
We always aim to hold the event as planned; however, weather conditions may require us to shift to our inclement weather plan, even on the day of the event. Any updates or decisions will be shared on our social media channels and event webpage. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on additions to the event and any inclement weather updates. If a cancellation is due to inclement weather, a decision will be made at (time: TBD) on the day of the event.
Street Closure Information
On the day of the event, the 100 blocks of East and West Elm Streets, North and South Main Streets, the public parking lot at the intersection of East Elm Street and Marshal Street, and the public parking lot on the 100 block of West Elm Street will close from 5:00am to 6:00pm. Please make sure you are not parked in this area after closure times. Setup of vendors, attractions, and stages will begin at these times, and it may not be possible to move vehicles due to congestion and pedestrian traffic. Streets will reopen at 6:00pm.
Questions? Please email Michelle Shaffer, Program Manager.
Sharing event pictures on social media? #ArtsAroundTheSquare @GrahamRecNC
Stage Schedule
Stage Schedule
North Main Street Stage
10:00am – 11:30am: TBD
12:00pm – 1:30pm: TBD
2:00pm – 3:30pm: TBD
West Elm Street Stage
10:30am – 12:00pm: TBD
12:30pm – 2:00pm: TBD
2:30pm – 4:00pm: Marcel Portilla Band (Latin Fusion Band with Salsa Dancers)
South Main Street Stage
10:00am – 10:30am: TBD
10:45am – 11:30am: TBD
11:45am – 12:15pm: TBD
12:30pm – 1:15pm: TBD
1:30pm – 2:15pm: TBD
2:30pm – 4:00pm: TBD
Street Performances
11:00am – 11:45am: TBD
12:00pm – 12:45pm: TBD
2:00pm – 2:45pm: TBD
2026 Bands & Performers
Artisan & Crafts Vendors
Food & Beverage Vendors
Food & Beverage Vendors
Food Vendors: TBD
• Also, check out downtown businesses!
Beer Vendors: TBD
Event FAQs
Event Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any helpful reminders before we attend?
• Don’t forget your lawn chairs! Grab a spot near the stage and enjoy live music throughout the event.
• Stay hydrated…bring water in a non-breakable container.
• Come hungry! Support local businesses and enjoy delicious eats from food trucks and vendors around the square.
• You might want to bring a reusable shopping bag (or a few) for all your purchases throughout the day.
• Get ready for fun, but please leave these at home: smoking/vaping, pets, and drones are not permitted at the event.
• Street Closures: On the day of the event (05/16/2026), the 100 blocks of East and West Elm Streets, North and South Main Streets, the public parking lot at the intersection of East Elm Street and Marshal Street, and the public parking lot on the 100 block of West Elm Street will close from 5:00am to 6:00pm. Please make sure you are not parked in this area after closure times. Setup of vendors, attractions, and stages will begin at these times, and it may not be possible to move vehicles due to congestion and pedestrian traffic. Streets will reopen at 6:00pm.
Where can I park?
Where to Park Downtown
Can I bring my dog to the event?
Yes, dogs are welcome at the event, provided owners adhere to the following rules:
• Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash no longer than six (6) feet at all times.
• Dogs must be fully vaccinated according to state and local regulations.
• Any dog showing aggressive behavior or posing a safety risk must be removed from the event area.
• Owners or handlers must maintain control of their dogs at all times.
• Please do your part to keep your downtown area clean by picking up after your pet.
Is there a social district at the event?
No, there is not a social district at the event. The City Council has suspended the ordinance to allow the consumption of alcohol within the designated areas of the event space. No alcohol will be allowed on South Main Street / Kid Zone. Only City-approved and permitted vendors are allowed to sell from their assigned vendor spaces on the street.
City ordinance Sec. 12-11. – Wine or beer container—Public display.
It shall be unlawful for any person to consume any wine or beer, or display any opened wine or beer bottle, can or any other type of container of such beverages on or in any public street, alley, sidewalk or other public property within the corporate limits of the city unless specifically permitted or sanctioned by the city council.
(Code 1978, ch. L, art. VII, § 1; Code 1983, § 8-17)
Is smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco allowed?
City ordinance Sec. 12-16. – Regulation of smoking in public places.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke or carry a lighted cigarette, lighted cigar or lighted pipe, or any other lighted tobacco product, including the use of e-cigarettes, in a public place as defined by G.S. 130A-492(14), or portion thereof, wherein the owner or operator thereof has designated the premises or portion thereof a nonsmoking area and posted notice.
(b) Clear and conspicuous signs shall be posted in every building and facility and/or grounds wherein smoking is regulated by this article as follows:
(1) The signs may contain the international “No Smoking” symbol, (consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across it).
(2) Signs shall be conspicuously posted in a position clearly visible on entry into every building, facility and/or grounds wherein smoking is regulated or prohibited.
(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove or to deface any placard or sign erected by or under the authority of this section.
(Ord. of 10-3-2017(2), § 1)
Can I fly my drone at the event?
City of Graham & FAA – “Policy for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Usage in Public Parks” prohibits the flying on drones in any area occupied by people and/or at special events. City of Graham Drone Policy
City of Graham Code of Ordinances
Link Transit Public Transportation
Consider riding Link Transit to downtown Graham events, restaurants, shops, and local businesses via the Orange Route! Enjoy the trip, and connect with your destination! Learn more about Link Transit routes and schedules at https://linktransit.org/ and view the Live Bus Map.
Link Transit Hours of Operation* (Orange Route runs approximately every 90 minutes):
Monday – Friday • 5:30am – 9:30pm
Saturday • 9:30am – 6:30pm
*No service on Sundays or holidays
Monday – Friday • 5:30am – 9:30pm
Saturday • 9:30am – 6:30pm
*No service on Sundays or holidays
Arts Around the Square | WGHP FOX8 Interview | May 15, 2026
Michelle Shaffer, Graham Recreation & Parks Recreation Program Manager, joined Julian Grace on the FOX8 WGHP News Morning Show on Friday, May 15, to help spread the word about the exciting return of Arts Around the Square! We had a wonderful time sharing what was in store for this year’s celebration.
2026 Sponsors
North Main Street Block Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
Friends of the Arts
Vendor, Band, & Sponsor Opportunities
This is the application for Artisan & Crafts Vendors interested in selling handmade artisanal goods/items at Downtown Graham’s Arts Around the Square event. Printable application forms are not an option.
Application closes on (Date: TBD)
All communications with vendors will be made by the Graham Recreation & Parks Department (GRPD) and/or the GRPD Program Manager, Michelle Shaffer, only. Questions? Please email Michelle Shaffer, Program Supervisor.
This application is for Non-Profit Organizations and Community Partners interested in participating in Downtown Graham’s Arts Around the Square event. Participants may only distribute information or advertise within the designated space. Selling items, taking orders for souvenirs or services, or engaging in fundraising activities (such as raffles, donation buckets, QR code donations, etc.) is prohibited. Printable application forms are not available. Space is limited.
Community Partners (Non-Profit Only)
All communications with vendors will be made by the Graham Recreation & Parks Department (GRPD) and/or the GRPD Program Manager, Michelle Shaffer, only. Questions? Please email Michelle Shaffer, Program Supervisor.
If you are interested in participating as a food vendor at an upcoming Graham Recreation & Parks event, please complete this Food Vendor Interest Form. We will review this list of possible food vendors for upcoming events and programs.
All food vendors must have their Certificate of Insurance (COI), at a minimum of $1 million, on file with the city, listing the City of Graham as the additional insured. Vendors must be able to run on a low sound/quiet generator, at most events no electricity is provided. Lighting may also be required for evening/night events. Vendor Contract, COI, and food vendor fees will be required in advance by a deadline to guarantee space at the event. The fee varies based on the event.
The food vendor is responsible for contacting Alamance County Environmental Health to complete the Temporary Food Vendor Application process at least 15 days before the event (i.e., food trucks, stands, units, tents, push carts). A Food Service Permit may be required based on your application and the food being served. It is the responsibility of the food vendor to meet all Alamance County Environmental Health requirements for the events.
All communications with vendors will be made by the Graham Recreation & Parks Department (GRPD) and/or the GRPD Program Manager, Michelle Shaffer, only. Questions? Please email Michelle Shaffer, Program Supervisor.
Is your band interested in performing at an upcoming event, including the Thursdays at Seven Concert Series in Downtown Graham, Musical Chairs Concert Series at Bill Cooke Park, or Arts Around the Square in Downtown Graham? If so, please complete the Band Interest Form, and our team will reach out if there is an upcoming opportunity for your band to perform.
A Completed Contract, Indemnification Agreement, W-9, and promotional photos will be required. Payment will be delivered upon completion of the performance.
Interested in performing? Please complete the Band Interest Form
All communications will be made by the Graham Recreation & Parks Department (GRPD) and/or the GRPD Program Manager, Michelle Shaffer, only. Questions? Please email Michelle Shaffer, Program Supervisor.
Become associated with community events that attract people from across Alamance County each year! There are partnership opportunities ranging from athletics to fitness & health programs to large special events. Check out the many opportunities to highlight your business through logos on promotional materials, with booth displays at events, banners at the ball fields providing on-site advertising, and through social media (based on the level of sponsorship).
Arts Around the Square Sponsorship Opportunities – Opening December 1, 2026
Sponsorship Policy & Procedures
All communications with sponsors will be made by the Graham Recreation & Parks Department (GRPD) and/or the GRPD Program Manager, Michelle Shaffer, only. Questions? Please email Michelle Shaffer, Program Supervisor.
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