It’s been a mainstay of the September festival scene since 2002, and this year, stART on the Street is promising another unforgettable event, complete with local artists and performers.

“StART is Worcester’s best day. [Between] all the smiling and all the people out there just enjoying the day… [and] really involving the entire community,” Performance Director Gabe Rollins said.

As a steadfast Worcester supporter, Rollins has been very involved in the Worcester music and arts scene. For stART, Rollins and a small committee reviewed and chose groups to perform at the event. This year, they received a record of almost 450 submissions.

Rollins said he realized “the only way to instill change is to actually instill change yourself,” so he decided to utilize his artistic and musical passions to help his city. He began working for stART a few years ago, when friend and co-founder of the event, Tina Zlody, contacted him to help with finding bands for the festival.

“Our musical offerings can be put up against anything in Central Massachusetts,” Rollins said. “We have all genres. No one else in Central Massachusetts is doing this, especially for free.” The band he is most excited about? Bent Knee, of Boston, which is currently touring Europe and will return to the U.S. to start a national tour. Their album Say So topped the list of The Best Prog Albums Of 2016… So Far in Prog Magazine. In addition to Bent Knee, some of the big musical acts also include The Silks, a Providence-based ’70s classic rock throwback band, and Epoch Failure, an up and coming band from New Jersey whose music has been featured on ESPN.

In addition to musicians, the festival also boasts many street performers, such as comedian Alex Clark, Boston Circus Guild, Red Trouser Show and Wacky Chad. While talking about the various acts being featured this year, Rollins mentioned that he is “always excited to see the bands because it’s a really growing thing, the music.” Some of his favorite memories from past stART on the Streets have featured musicians, including one performer who goes by Keytar Bear and performs in a bear costume.

Besides top performers, stART on the Street will feature more than 300 artists and crafters. Those of you who have attended stART in the past will see some familiar faces and many new ones along Park Avenue. Don’t forget to stop by the Youth Market, where young people can sell their art and get their foot in the Worcester arts community’s door. In addition to all of the art, stART will also have 25 food vendors among two food areas, including Sabor Latino empanada truck, Big T’s Jerky House and Dean’s Beans coffee.

Rollins said he believes stART is important to Worcester. “On a Worcester level, music and art really add a level of vibrancy. There is really such a difference between cities with a creative community versus those without a creative community. You can see and you can feel it. ” He added, “Vibrancy in a city is what makes a city a city, and creativity is such a big part of that.”

This month’s installment of stART on the Street is sure to be another fantastic opportunity for Worcester to come together to celebrate all of the art that the community has to offer. Between the wandering street performers, various vendors, artists, musical acts and more, there is something for everyone.

“The more good memories you have in a city, the more the city becomes part of the fabric of your own life,” Rollins said. He hopes stART can be just one of the many great memories of the people of Worcester.

StART on the Street will be held from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 18 on Park Avenue between Highland and Pleasant streets. Admission is free. The rain date is Sept. 25. For more information, visit startonthestreet.org.

By Carly O’Brien