Newtown Arts Festival, now in its ninth year and on hiatus in 2020 because of the pandemic, will return September 17-19, on the grounds of Fairfield Hills, according to Festival Chair Barbara Snyder.

The festival is sponsored by Newtown Cultural Arts Commission. Proceeds support scholarships for Newtown residents who are high school graduating seniors and grants to Newtown arts organizations and artists.

“We are so glad to be back,” Commission Chair Laura Lerman said. “These are two joyous days in support of the arts and the community.”

The festival will begin with a performance by a Fairfield-based band on Friday, September 17. The performers are TBA.

Tickets will be going on sale July 15, priced $25 for lawn seating, $35 VIP, and $210 for the limited number of reserved tables that accommodate up to six.

Gates for the weekend festival itself will open Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10 am. Performances, activities, and events will continue until 5 pm Saturday and 4 pm Sunday.

Admission is $5 adults, and $3 for ages 6-12. Children age 5 and under will be admitted free of charge.

Food trucks and a beer and wine garden will be returning throughout the weekend. The 2021 signature art, by Newtown resident Nancy Cole, will be for sale on posters and T-shirts.

Included in the entry fee on Saturday and Sunday will be fiber arts activities, dance performances, and Tracy Van Buskirk’s now-renowned Cardboard University. The Art of Science will be returning, and so will music all day long.

Paula Brinkman will be back with canvas bags ready to be decorated, and members of the Society of Creative Arts of Newtown will be demonstrating plein air painting.

The life-size puppets of the Sova Dance and Puppet Theater will be doing a walkabout both days of the festival. The puppets celebrate “humanity and the environment by engaging audiences through live performance.”

Updates and other information will be available at newtownartsfestival.com.

Meanwhile, artisans and musicians have been invited to apply for this year's event. Visit the festival website for additional information.