The 17th annual Brite Winter festival returned with a new home in the Waterloo Arts District, bringing music, art and community together.
CLEVELAND — The 17th annual Brite Winter festival returned Saturday with a continued focus on creating connection during a time of year when large-scale events are less common.
Co-founder and Executive Director Emily Hornack said the February festival is centered on bringing people together through shared experiences.
“We are a one-day festival in February that celebrates what’s best about Cleveland all year round, and we think that’s art, music, community, food, and just getting out of the house and being together,” Hornack said.
This year marked a shift in location, with the event moving into Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood and the Waterloo Arts District.
Hornack said partnerships with nearby arts organizations helped shape the visual experience throughout the festival.
“We also have a partnership this year with Praxis Fiber Workshop. They’re based here in Collinwood down the street, and they created all the lanterns along the street, and then Waterloo Arts is just down the street here, and they have a whole bunch of day-glow and fluorescent art in their shop,” Hornack said.
Festival organizers say interest from performers continues to expand beyond Northeast Ohio.
Julian, who performs and curates under the name Jewel Big Green and serves as a musician and show curator, said a committee evaluates submissions across musical styles before final selections are made.
“We have a big committee that we rely on to go through and rate the music. They go 1 through 5 and they go to different genres and stuff like that, and then we whittle it down. We got it down to 37. And then we pick them, and then we have the festival,” Julian said.
Attendees said the atmosphere offered a welcome change of pace during the winter season.
“Well, we’re happy it’s not 17 degrees outside,” attendee Anna Chafin said.
Hornack said the event’s timing is deliberate, aiming to encourage residents to stay engaged with their community during colder months.
“We wanted to celebrate winter rather than hibernate, and we wanted to get people out of the house and just engage with their community year-round, especially this winter,” Hornack said.
Organizers said after outdoor performances concluded, activities were scheduled to continue indoors at venues throughout the Waterloo Arts District into the evening.