On Saturday, July 12th from 10 am until 6 pm, Art on the Hill returns to Mantua. This annual tradition began in 2008 as a fund raiser for Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation but has become an annual tradition that gives visitors the opportunity to experience (and purchase) unique handmade items, enjoy food and beverages and enjoy fleeting summer weather. The festival takes place on East Prospect Street in Mantua and has hosted between 3,000 to 5,000 each year.
This year, between 60 to 70 artisans, vendors, and merchants are expected. Artisans reflect a variety of work including soaps, honey, jewelry, garden décor, home décor, woodworking, sewing crafts and more. In addition, a variety of merchants will be present. As in previous years, each participating artisan has donated one of their pieces to be included in a raffle during the festival. Tickets will be sold in the main tent where the art pieces will be on display, with the drawing taking place at 5:30 pm. Winners need not be present to win.
Prior to the festival, the Art on the Hill committee will be leaving specially marked rubber duckies throughout the community. Each duck will feature a tag promoting the festival, and anyone who finds one will be a lucky duck for sure. If you find a duck and bring the tag to the main tent during the festival, you can exchange it for a free raffle ticket and be entered into a drawing for a special Duckie Basket.
Mantua’s shops will also be open during the festival as well, giving visitors the opportunity to check out those cool shops they’ve noticed, but haven’t had the chance to visit. In addition to artists and wineries, several community organizations will be on hand with fun experiences for smaller attendees. The Mantua Garden Club will be there as well, sharing their knowledge and helping visitors develop their green thumbs. A variety of kids’ games will be available throughout the day, and a balloon artist will be on hand as well. The Rotary Club of Mantua’s booth will feature a special juice tasting flight for kids. The booth will also feature a rubber duck pond.
Mantua’s brick and mortar eateries will be open with festival specials. Dr. Hibachi, Dr. Boba, the Crestwood Lions food trucks will also be parked nearby offering Asian fare and beverages, along with burgers and hotdogs. Food booths include glazed nuts, honey products and kettle corn.
Five wineries will serve attendees including: Main Street Ravenna, Salvage Winery from Mantua, LaLeure Vineyards from Middlefield, and Lincoln Way Vineyards from Wooster. Worries about too much sun or heat? Tents will be interspersed throughout festival grounds with ample seating available out of the sun.
Once again, the Photo Contest will be a high point of the festival, giving local photographers of all ages the opportunity to share their best work. Submissions can be unframed 8 X 10 photos in black and white or color. Photos can be included in one of six categories: Landscape/scenery, Nature, People/Portraits, Pets/animals, Events/ Places, and Other. Each age division is judged separately. As a part of the Photo Contest, 13 photos of the Crestwood/Mantua area will be selected for the 2026 DMRC photo calendar. The suggested theme is ‘Naturally, Mantua’. Photos entered as calendar eligible are also entered into the Art on the Hill Photo contest. In addition, there will also be a People’s Choice award, voted on by visitors to the festival. Specific details can be downloaded from the DMRC website: www.revitalizemantua.org.
Participants of all ages can also be a part of a community art project. Each small wooden piece that’s decorated will be combined with others into a piece as unique as those who helped create it.
Worried about finding a parking spot? Don’t worry, as free parking will be available at 4047 Mill Street, near Advanced Rehabilitation or at the Compass Packaging Parking lot off on State Route 44 (South Main Street). This one-day festival takes place in Mantua on Saturday, July 12th from 10 am until 6 pm. For more information, visit: www.revitalizemantua.org.
