Arts Fest friendship bracelet tradition continues with ‘Tying Us Together’ project 

Friendship bracelets — the colorful pattern of strings that for many of us were part of growing up — have a new meaning this summer thanks to the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

The bracelets are usually part of the Children and Youth Sidewalk sale, which had been scheduled to take place Wednesday before the COVID-19 pandemic turned the entire fest into a virtual event.

Festival Executive Director Rick Bryant came up with the idea for the “Tying Us Together” project, which encouraged community members of all ages to make bracelets to share with people in their lives during social distancing times. The festival also asked for donated bracelets to sell throughout town as a fundraiser.

During normal years, Bryant said he purchases bracelets to share with the festival’s core team. They wear them as “battle ribbons” to get them through the heat and long days of the annual festival.

“Friendship bracelets also remind us of how connected we are and how important our friends are,” Bryant wrote on the Arts Fest website. “This year, even though we can’t gather in person, we want to continue the Festival’s friendship bracelet tradition.”

As soon as I saw the idea, I was excited to have an excuse to make friendship bracelets galore. I pulled out the color-coded box of strings I’ve had since I was a teenager and started racking my brain to remember the coolest patterns.

I sat outside with my dog, played songs from some of my favorite Arts Fest musicians on Spotify, and created.

I taped bracelets to my kitchen counter and completed a few rows while cooking.

Having a creativity break has been soothing, and I keep thinking of more patterns and color combinations.

Making bracelets has made me feel closer to the community, to those I love, and has me smiling reflecting on time spent at previous Arts Fests.

Byrant said participation in the campaign was strong, and some of the notes they received with bracelets were uplifting. Some shared that it was good therapy during difficult times, or a fun family activity.

“The connection part worked great,” he said.

The campaign has helped me with the idea that there is no in-person festival this year, after nine years of documenting it for the Centre Daily Times and 14 years attending. There won’t be any walking up Allen Street to the sounds of local musicians, and getting splashed from the water buckets. There won’t be any Italian street painting, or trying on jewelry, or asking an artist how they create their masterpieces. There won’t be the smells of delicious food or eating Berkey Creamery ice cream on Old Main lawn next to the main stage.

This week I plan to listen to musicians from festivals past and browse the virtual show. I’m also excited to tie some colorful bracelets to my wrists and let them remind me of the great people in my life and community.

To check out friendship bracelets created for the Tying Us Together project, visit https://arts-festival.com/store. Visit https://arts-festival.com/ for a schedule of virtual events.