Navigating the Chautauqua Arts Festival | Devise Your Strategy Today!

In just a few days, Madison will host one of the finest juried art shows in the region. The Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art attracts tens of thousands of visitors to our small city during the last full weekend of September. The anticipation is definitely building for this arts festival.

Like Christmas, anticipation is part of the fun. Also like Christmas, the event itself will be more fulfilling with a little planning: you need a Chautauqua strategy!

The Parking Strategy – This is an easy one. If you arrive in the busiest part of the day, it’s tough to find a good parking space downtown. So the solution is to park at Madison Consolidated High School, 743 Clifty Drive, and take the shuttle downtown for $5. It operates continuously both Saturday and Sunday.

The Free Hands Strategy – You’ll want to try on clothing and jewelry, browse through racks of prints, feel the textures of everything. In order for Chautauqua to be a complete tactile experience, you’ll have to carry all your essentials in your pockets, a backpack or a shoulder bag. Make the bag big enough to tote your small purchases.

The See-It-All Strategy – Madison Chautauqua includes 200+ juried exhibitors on several streets surrounding the Lanier Mansion. You’ll need a show map to make sure you don’t miss any.

The Purchase Strategy – Some folks wait until Sunday afternoon to make their final selections. This can be risky, though. Popular booths can be picked clean by 5 p.m. Sunday. Our suggested strategy is simple: Buy it when you first fall in love with it. Then there’s no chance you’ll be disappointed later. If you’re worried about carrying it around with you, ask the exhibitor if they will hold your purchase for you until the end of the day.

The R&R Strategy – You’ll spend most of your day on foot, perusing the hundreds of exhibitor’s displays and marveling at their creativity. But to keep your own creative spirit alive, you need some planned rest stops. Be aware that if you keep walking downhill (toward the river) you’ll find Chautauqua’s extensive outdoor food court. There are picnic tables and benches facing the soothing riverfront. Plan on to spend some of the day sitting in the shade while I enjoy the live entertainment, too!

After Chautauqua, there’s still plenty to do to finish the day strong! Grab a bite to eat at one of the city’s restaurants then enjoy all Indiana’s Music City has to offer by taking in a live show! Linger longer and stay overnight to extend your stay!

And – don’t forget – the Madison Chautauqua Festival of Arts is happening rain or shine! If you need to take a break from the weather, check out some rainy day options to fill your time in Madison!