Friday, June 5, 2015

HIP, HIP HOORAY IT’S ART IN THE PARK WEEKEND JUNE 6 & 7 !






It’s finally here --- Windsor’s favorite outdoor arts and crafts exhibition takes place this weekend – Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7 at Willistead Park! And just to get things off to a rollicking good start, there’s a pre-event launch party in the park on Friday evening, June 5.


                To help you plan your weekend and get the most out of this eagerly-anticipated rite of early summer, here are the highlights of the 37th Annual Art In The Park -- brought to you under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918).


                When?  Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Spirit Tent till 11:00pm)


Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


                Where? Willistead Park, 1899 Niagara St., Windsor


What?  Art In The Park is one of only a few “juried” public art exhibitions at which standards of quality and acceptance are at a consistently high level.


                Admission? - An affordable family-friendly $5.00. Advance tickets ($4.00) are also available online at aipwindsor.com, Shoppers Drug Mart, Windsor Family Credit Union, High Jinks Indoor Playground and Motion Specialties.


“275 vendors have booked exhibit space for this year’s show, which is shaping up as one of our biggest and best ever”, Neil Bear, Chair of Art In The Park 2015, said. “They’re coming to Willistead from all over Ontario, Quebec, and beyond. More than 50 of this year’s exhibitors are first-time participants. It’s all here this year -- everything from handmade furniture to luxurious organic soaps.  “Many of our loyal vendors have exhibited and sold their unique creations at Windsor’s beloved outdoor arts festival for more than 30 years. We’re truly grateful for their continuous, enthusiastic involvement”, Bear said.


Among the first-time Art In The Park exhibitors are the big, colorful pop-art canvases of local artist Briana Athena Benore; the nature-inspired home decor of Tuscany Concrete By Design; the quiet beauty of Lee Shelton sculptured glass and the charming boho bracelets, necklaces and earrings of Bella Gray.


                Thousands of visitors are expected to flow through the park gates during this beloved two-day public arts extravaganza. Besides the usual fine art, colorful crafts and wares on display and for sale, the show will also include pottery, sculpture and hand-made clothing. Art In The Park offers much more than beautiful paintings and other irresistible art objects; visitors young and old can enjoy many other fun-oriented activities, including free tours of gracious Willistead Manor. Come on in and enjoy a drum circle facilitated by Bloomfield House on Saturday, a poetry workshop and a Sunday poetry reading with Laurie Smith of Cranberry Press. For history buffs, there’s a reenactment of a radio broadcast from the 1948 Destination Freedom series with Artists of Color.


                Half the fun is getting there! Worried about parking? Don’t! Event organizers have once again partnered with G & L Stevenson Transit to provide a handy complimentary shuttle service between Willistead  and two satellite parking lots – at the Hiram Walker & Sons employee parking lot on Riverside Dr. E. at Montreuil St. and the Windsor Regional Hospital parking lot on Kildare Rd. two blocks north of Tecumseh Rd. E. The free shuttles run from 10:00 a.m, to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday.


                Bike It! –New this year is a secure bicycle valet service provided by Bike Friendly Windsor and Essex County. Why not ride your bike to Art In The Park? But don’t forget to bring a backpack to haul your treasures home. Look for the bike valet just inside the main gate to the park.


                The Friday Night Launch Party kicks off in the Spirit Tent – epicenter of AITP – at 5:00 p.m. and rocks on until 11:00. Our featured performers this year are Jamie Reaume, 80’s Inc. and British Beat 66. Admission to this fun evening of live entertainment is just $10.00 per person.  Tickets available online at aipwindsor.com and at the gate.


                Music, Music, Music- In addition to the unique arts and handicrafts throughout the park, Art In The Park will also feature nonstop  live musical entertainment throughout the weekend.  On Saturday, the action begins at 11:30 a.m. with the Music Express talent show, an amazing group of young entertainers. Next up, the talented  Joan Charette, then the Fabulous Soul Shakers. The evening entertainment in the big tent kicks off with Nemesis and concludes with Greatest Hits Live. The Sunday entertainment show bill leads off with the South Windsor School of Music Student Showcase, followed by Transco and the great finale with popular Tara Watts


                The Spirit Tent will feature delightful wines from the Coopers Hawk Vineyards, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Hiram Walker & Sons and ice-cold beer from the neighborhood Walkerville Brewery. You can also enjoy upscale food fare from several local restaurants, including the Thai Palace, Stir Crazy, Thyme to Go, the Gourmet Emporium and Crepe De Licious.


                One of the liveliest areas in the park is again sure to be the Kids Zone – a safe play area especially for children, where they can sing, dance and just have fun. A tent provides shade and encloses the area with a toddler-safe play area. And don’t miss Frozen’s Elsa from Dream Makers who will greet her fans and perform at noon Saturday, while Belle and Cinderella will be coming to play on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.


                Your Support Is Appreciated. All proceeds raised at Art In The Park 2015– presented by the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918 ) directly support local children’s charities such as the John McGivney Centre for Children and Maryvale Adolescent and Family Services -- as well as the continuing restoration of Windsor’s architectural jewel, Willistead Manor. Over the past 30 years, Art In The Park has raised more than $1.3 million for these worthy purposes.


                Summer starts with Art In The Park. The fun’s endless, and the smiles are free!






by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine

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