Celebrate Arts in the Park this weekend
The Hockaday Museum of Art presents the 51st annual Arts in the Park, one of the longest-running arts and music festivals in the West, July 16 to 18. A favorite Flathead County event held in historic downtown Depot Park, Kalispell’s premier arts festival features 75 juried local and visiting artists and artisans, live music performances, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, children’s activities and more.
This special community event is the Hockaday Museum of Art’s major annual fundraising event and a great family weekend outing,” according to the Hockaday’s executive director and Arts in the Park organizer Alyssa Cordova. “Funds raised from Arts in the Park directly supports our education programs, exhibitions and outreach activities and are vital to the Hockaday’s mission to support the arts and artists of our region and beyond.”
Unlimited/daily admission to the three-day festival is $5. This year, for the first time, the museum is also offering free admission to children ages 12 and under and special $15 family passes (two adults plus three youth ages 13 and up) for additional savings.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. A special $3 Collectible Pass button is also available for purchase. It provides the wearer discounts at select participating artist booths and food vendors, unlimited admission to the museum during the event, and also includes one free admission to the museum any day in 2021. Tickets and buttons are purchased at the gates. One of the presenting sponsors, the Daily Inter Lake, will also be giving away 20 free tickets to the event through its website in the weeks leading up to the event.
Live music begins at 11 a.m. each day with over 15 musicians and bands from around the state such as the Woodstock Trio, Frog Pond String Band, Michelle Rivers Duo, and Way Down North performing 45- to 60-minute sets. The full schedule of performers and times is listed on hockadaymuseum.com.
A premium wine and beer garden open at 10 a.m. daily offers hand-poured selected brews and blends by Kalispell Brewing Co. and MontaVino Winery; 10 food trucks including Carl’s Corn Dogs, Glacier Shaved Ice, and NW Island Noodles; and free children’s activities with Glacier Children’s Museum and KALICO Arts Center also be on site.
Volunteers are critical to the success of this fundraising event. All volunteers get unlimited entrance into the event and are entered into an opportunity drawing to win Arts in the Park and Hockaday Museum prizes. Email information@hockadaymuseum.com or call 406-755-5258 if you can help any of the three days.
Arts in the Park is a benefit for the Hockaday Museum of Art. All event admissions support the museum in its educational mission and programs. Full details are available at hockadaymuseum.com or by calling 406-755-5268.
