Anderson Township's longest-running arts celebration turns 25 next month, and organizers are marking the milestone with a free, all-day gathering of painters, potters, jewelers and photographers at Beech Acres Park. A Fair of the Arts runs from 4 to 8 p.m. on September 19, rain or shine unless the rain turns to a downpour, and admission costs nothing to attend.
According to the Anderson Township, Ohio - Government Facebook page, the fair will showcase original works spanning fine jewelry, stained glass, painting, photography and ceramics, with a complete artist list set to be published on andersonparks.com closer to the event date. The 25th edition also carries financial backing from the Ohio Arts Council, which distributes state tax dollars to support community arts experiences across Ohio, according to the Anderson Park District. That state-level support underscores how far the event has traveled from its origins as a neighborhood craft show.
Music, Food and Drink on Tap
Live music anchors the afternoon, opening with Cincinnati-based singer-songwriter Grady Burton at 4 p.m. Burton performs regionally as “The River City Troubadour,” blending indie-folk and Americana influences across Greater Cincinnati venues, according to showmeshows. The band Anna and the Deeper Well takes the stage later at 5:45 p.m., rounding out an evening built around free entertainment for families and neighbors alike.
Food and drink vendors will include the Cincy Smash food truck, LaRosa's Pizzeria and Street Pops, giving attendees a mix of casual dining options throughout the grounds. Beer and wine will also be available for adults looking to pair a glass with the artwork on display. The fair's blend of food, drinks, music and local art has become a September staple for township residents.
Past Winners Raise the Bar
Recent Best of Show winners have added prestige to the competition, including Cincinnati wildlife photographer Jordan West, who took the honor in 2025 with work featuring local raptors, and Newport, Kentucky-based botanical watercolor artist Katie Desmond, the 2024 winner known for detailed regional flora paintings. Those past honorees reflect the fair's growth into a recognized regional arts destination rather than a purely local showcase.
A Bigger Stage at Beech Acres Park
The event's host site has grown right along with its reputation. Beech Acres Park expanded to 44.5 total acres in October 2023, when the Anderson Park District purchased an adjacent 17-acre parcel at 6881 Beechmont Avenue from the Beech Acres Parenting Center, which had relocated its headquarters to central Cincinnati. That expansion gave the district more room to host large community gatherings like this one.
Beech Acres Park is one of eight parks operated by the Anderson Park District, an active park and recreation agency managing more than 500 acres of parkland across the township. The district was established by voter referendum in 1975 under Section 511 of the Ohio Revised Code and began operations the following year, making it one of the few township-level park districts created under Ohio statutory law.
How the Park District Pays for It
The park district operates independently from Anderson Township's general government, and its finances lean heavily on local voters. Tax revenues generate roughly 70 percent of the district's operating budget, with the remaining 30 percent coming from user fees, grants and rentals. Township voters reinforced that funding model in November 2024 by approving Issue 32, a 1.9-mill, 10-year operating levy costing homeowners $67 annually per $100,000 in property valuation.
A year earlier, voters also approved a separate 1.0-mill, 25-year capital improvement levy aimed at what the district calls the “6 Ps”: Paths, Potties, Parking, Playgrounds, Pickleball and Playability. Together, the two levies illustrate consistent local support for maintaining and expanding the township's park infrastructure, support that helped make the Beech Acres expansion and events like A Fair of the Arts possible.
Anderson Township spans 31.2 square miles in southeastern Hamilton County and had a population of 44,088 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. The township has seen its share of local news this year, from a rejected 249-unit housing proposal to a black bear sighting that put residents on edge, but the arts fair offers a lower-stakes community draw heading into fall. Full details, including the eventual artist roster, are expected to be posted on andersonparks.com in the weeks ahead.
