We've certainly got Mother Nature in charge for this year's festival, BUT we are still planning on being at the park. Saturday is probably going to start rainy but then (fingers crossed!) clear up to be a nice afternoon. Sunday is looking like a great day right now - a little soggy underfoot no doubt but a lovely 68-70 degree day.
Don't stay home! We'll be at the park and we've got artists braving the conditions to drive here from all over the United States because we have such an awesome show in Columbia.
So, don your Wellies (galoshes), grab a brolly (umbrella), and please come out and give our visiting artists a huge welcome. And be sure to plan on buying something gorgeous, even if it's as simple as a $10 coffee mug, to thank an artist for driving all this way and making sure our festival happens!
It is probable that the festival will get underway a little later than usual on Saturday to make up for weather-related lost set-up time on Friday. If you're planning on heading over on Saturday, it might be prudent to leave it til 11am or 12 noon. We'll post updates on to our Facebook page and the CAL website so check there before you head to the park.
Make time to check out the fabulous Landmark Bank Pho-rest - a new feature this year exhibiting 50 images of Boone County taken by local photographers.
We're also aiming to lessen our footprint of plastic waste this year. At the Boone County National Bank Water Bar you can buy a BPA-free reusable Art in the Park tumbler for $2 (less than the price of a bottle of water at many places) and fill it for free with fruit-flavored water as often as you like all weekend.
And of course we've got the fabulous Emerging Artist Tent, Kid's Art Spot and Young Collector's tent to inspire and amuse our younger visitors.
Don't worry if you arrive hungry - there's plenty of food options: Sunflower chicken waffles, Missouri Legacy Beef, D Dee's Kettlecorn, Jamaican Jerk meats, Pacific Rim Vegetarian Noodles, Smokin Chicks' barbecue, Italian ices, delicious fudge, freshly squeezed lemonade, nachos and gyros.
There's plenty of parking available at the Boone Hospital Plaza. Even better, this year, you can park downtown and hop on the Fastcat down to the park. They'll be running an extra service and extending their route for the weekend to drop people off at the park entrance.
If you need any festival information, you should find all your questions answered at the Art in the Park website.
See you at Stephens Lake Park!!
