Logan County Alliance releases details on new Arts in the Park event

[July 13, 2015]  LINCOLN - The second spinoff event of the expansion of the former Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, 2015. Arts in the Park is hosted by the Logan County Alliance and will take place at Latham Park and Pekin Street adjacent to the park.

Over the last few years, the Chamber and Tourism Bureau have received numerous requests for more adult-oriented events in Downtown Lincoln. They are hoping to accomplish this with the expansion of the former Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival. While they are providing a very family-oriented event in August with the Lincoln Balloon Festival, both Lincoln’s Pigs & Swigs Festival that had its inaugural event in June and Arts in the Park are strongly targeted toward adults. When considering the plans for Arts in the Park, the committee felt that there were already many family events that take place in Logan County. Families in Logan County are exposed to several amazing museums, several sports tournaments, the Logan County Fair, Lincoln Balloon Festival, Railsplitter Festival, multiple fall festivals, Germanfest celebration, Harvest of Talents, in addition the Lincoln Area Music Society hosts several concerts and the Logan County Arts holds multiple family-friendly events as well.

The Arts in the Park planning committee has taken the model of the former Art of Wine event and paired it with the traditional Fine Art Fair to create a hybrid event in one central location that is conducive to artists, wineries, and adult guests. Adding in gourmet food vendors, live music, and painting classes creates a whole new atmosphere never before seen in Lincoln, Illinois.

Open Arms Christian Fellowship is hosting their Annual Family Fun Day in Scully Park on the same weekend as Arts in the Park, which allows the Arts in the Park planning committee to focus on an adult centered weekend. Children will be allowed; however, there will not be any children’s activities in Latham Park. If families choose to bring their children to the event they will be allowed in all areas except the wine tasting area. No one under the age of 21 will be allowed in the wine tasting area even if accompanied by an adult.

Arts in the Park will have approximately six vendors for the wine tasting event and will have craft beer tastings available. “We wanted to give guests an alternate option if they don’t enjoy wine”, said Cara Barr, Events Coordinator for the Logan County Alliance. A beverage center with soda, sports drinks, and bottled water will also be available for those who would prefer a non-alcoholic beverage. A listing of the wineries attending can be found at www.lincolnsartsinthepark.com. Guests under the age of 21 will not be permitted in the wine area on Pekin Street.

Gourmet food is the direction the committee wanted to go this year for food vendors. Gourmet food vendors are coming from various locations in Central Illinois and they will be on Pekin Street adjacent to Latham Park on Saturday and Sunday. The Logan County Alliance is securing four quality vendors that bring a unique experience to Lincoln.

Crowds will be pleased with live music throughout the weekend. A line up of musicians and musical groups has been determined. An entertainment schedule is available at www.lincolnsartsinthe park.com  and includes performances from Ashley Riley, Lincoln Community Theatre, Radio Twist, Debbie Ross Band and Aaron Hinton.

The Lincoln Public Library will be holding their annual used book sale during Arts in the Park. With no limit on the number of bags shoppers can buy, the sale is only a buck a bag. The book sale can be found in the Carnegie Building’s Pegram Room on Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 9am-5pm and Sunday, July 19, 2015 from 10am-2pm.

Another addition to Arts in the Park is an interactive painting class. Picasso on the Prairie hosts a fun class for both those with an art background and those without. Unique paintings have been created just for the Arts in the Park Festival. The paintings can be found on the Chamber’s Facebook page. The public can register ahead of time for the painting of their choice. A professional artist will guide the guest step-by-step through the featured painting and will ensure they stay on track to complete their painting by the end of class. “These classes are the perfect ‘girls night out’ activity. Guests can taste wine, learn to paint, and have fun enjoying the Festival with great friends”, said Barr.

Adding new elements and changing the structure of this event allows the Arts in the Park planning committee to better market the event and target a specific audience; thus bringing more tourists to the community.

A special addition to Arts in the Park is an elegant four course dinner complete with wine pairings. Cooper’s StrEATside Bistro and Lasata Wines have partnered with Arts in the Park to create the kick-off dinner titled ‘Corks & Courses’ on Friday, July 17. Tickets are priced at $50.00 per person, $85.00 per couple, or $225.00 per table of six. Tickets are now available for purchase. To purchase tickets or for more information on the menu, visit www.lincolnsartsinthepark.com  or call the Logan County Alliance office at [phone].

The public is invited to attend Arts in the Park on July 17-19, 2015. More information is available at www.lincolnsartsinthepark.com.  If you would like to volunteer, sponsor, or find out more information about the Arts in the Park event, please contact Cara Barr at [phone] or [e-mail].

If you have questions regarding the Family Fun Day Event at Scully Park, visit their Facebook page at Family Fun Day Lincoln, Illinois or contact Open Arms Christian Fellowship at [phone] or [e-mail]. 

[Cara Barr, Logan County Alliance]