Round the Fountain Art Fair

The Round the Fountain Art Fair is a premier one-day, outdoor fine art fair held annually in Lafayette, Indiana, on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. In 2025, it takes place on May 24th at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse Square in downtown Lafayette. This event showcases the work of up to 100 artists from around the nation, featuring a diverse array of fine art including paintings, sculptures, pottery, photography, prints, and jewelry.

The fair has a festive, community-friendly atmosphere with affordable art prices, free admission, and ample parking, attracting enthusiastic crowds from the Midwest and beyond. It is also fully handicapped accessible. Proceeds from the fair support local fine arts education in five area public schools, after-hours arts programs, restoration projects such as the Marquis de Lafayette Fountain, courthouse enhancements, landscaping, and public art installations.

History and Founding: The Round the Fountain Art Fair began in 1973 and has grown significantly since then, becoming recognized as one of the Midwest’s premier juried fine art fairs. It balances showcasing high-quality art with community engagement and charitable support for arts education and public art projects.

Event Vibe & Surroundings: Located at the courthouse square in downtown Lafayette, the fair enjoys a vibrant and historic urban setting. The area is known for its welcoming atmosphere, with local businesses and community members participating. The event’s environment is festive but relaxed, making it enjoyable for families, art collectors, and casual visitors alike.

Activities and Attractions:

• Viewing and purchasing fine art from national and local artists in various media.
• Opportunities to meet the artists and learn about their creative processes.
• Community engagement through arts education fundraising and public art initiatives.
• Courthouse and fountain restoration projects highlighted alongside the fair.

Rough Event Schedule (Typical for Memorial Day Saturday):

• Early morning (around 6:00 AM): Setup and artist arrival.
• Fair open to the public approximately 9:00 AM to early afternoon (around 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM depending on the source).
• The day includes continuous access to artist booths for browsing, purchasing, and interaction.
• No widely published separate activities like workshops or performances, focusing mainly on the art displays and sales.

This well-organized event is a highlight of Memorial Day Weekend in Lafayette and reflects decades of community commitment to the arts. It supports and celebrates fine art while fostering a lively and friendly community environment.