Leeper Park Art Fair

The Leeper Park Art Fair is a well-established, award-winning annual event held in the historic, shady Leeper Park located along the St. Joe River in downtown South Bend, St. Joseph County. The 58th edition is scheduled for June 14-15, 2025, making it a longstanding tradition in the area, especially notable as a Father’s Day weekend activity.

Leeper Park itself is a scenic and historic urban park with leafy green spaces alongside the river, providing a relaxed and inviting environment for attendees. The vibe of the fair is family-friendly and festive, combining fine art and crafts with food, live music, and community spirit. The event features free parking and shuttle services, enhancing accessibility, including for handicapped visitors.

The art fair showcases over 80 juried fine artists and craftspeople from across the United States, with works spanning painting, printmaking, photography, clay, digital art, fiber art, and more. The event is juried competitively, with awards such as Best in Show, 1st to 3rd places in various categories, judge’s awards, and member tent awards from the sponsoring body, the St. Joe Valley Watercolor Society.

Activities at the fair include:

• Viewing and purchasing fine art and crafts from national artists
• Sampling diverse food options from multiple food trucks and vendors (such as C&C Concessions, Tom’s Tasty Taters, and Annie’s Ice Cream & Concessions)
• Enjoying live music performances that contribute to a festive, lively atmosphere
• Exploring artists’ demonstrations and interactive art-related experiences (implied by typical art fair formats, though not specifically listed)
• Family-friendly amenities like free parking and shuttle services to ease access

A rough schedule for June 14-15, 2025 likely spans the full weekend daytime hours, typically from mid-morning to late afternoon or early evening, located primarily in Leeper Park at Riverside Drive and Michigan Street in downtown South Bend. Specific timed events (like award presentations or special demonstrations) are commonly part of such fairs but not detailed here.

Regarding history, the Leeper Park Art Fair began over 58 years ago and has grown into a highly regarded event ranked #34 in Sunshine Artist Magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 Best Fine Art Fairs in the US. It has strong local support and sponsorship and is seen as a key cultural and community event in South Bend, emphasizing quality art and celebration of local natural beauty.

In summary, the Leeper Park Art Fair is a culturally rich, community-centered festival that merges top-tier visual arts with a welcoming park setting, live entertainment, and diverse food, fostering a lively yet relaxed Father’s Day weekend tradition in South Bend.