The Gloucester Arts Festival begins next weekend, offering a full week of daily activities during the first week of June. It continues throughout the month with arts and art-related activities for the Middle Peninsula and beyond.

The festival will kick off with Brews, Brine & Wine from 5–8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31, at Timberneck Farm at Machicomoco State Park, 3601 Timberneck Farm Road, Hayes.

Guests will enjoy Gloucester oysters in a casual setting as plein air artists interpret their surroundings on canvas, creating small works that will be available for sale at the event. Those attending are encouraged to take their own lawn chairs.

Brews, Brine & Wine will offer music by the RaJazz band, with its mix of smooth jazz and R&B, along with oysters from the Cappahosic Oyster Company, beverages from Saude Creek Winery and Gloucester Brewery, and several food and drink trucks on-site.

“We are expecting the biggest crowd ever at the festival’s opening event this ye...