DANVILLE — Arts in the Park returns this weekend for the 38th time — but this weekend it will be in Ellsworth Park in Danville.
With two full days of arts events ranging from dance to music to theater and more, there is something to do for everyone this Saturday and Sunday. The event, showcasing local artists, is free to enter.
“We focus on local talent because what better way to highlight than your own community?” Board President, Heather Runyan, says. “Arts in the Park is absolutely free to the community — you can come down, enjoy live music and performances, and bring the kids for free crafts and art projects.”
The events start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the Danville Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet finishing out the night at 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., when the Logan Kirby Band takes the stage.
Beyond scheduled events, there will be an information and artist hospitality area, a children’s art tent, face painting, the Arts on the Wheel Car Show sponsored by the Illiana Antique Automobile Club, artist vendor booths, community booths, and a Griffin’s Heart Medieval Combat Group spot.
“The Art on Wheels Car Show is located on the north side of the park before you drive under the Route 150 overpass,” organizers say. “All other festival activities take place in the large grassy area south of Route 150.”
The car show registration begins at 9 a.m. with the show running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can find out where everything is using the map posted on Facebook. There is also a cooling tent, as temperatures and humidity climb this weekend. As well as plenty of food trucks to get a quick bite to eat.
Originally, the event was set to take place in Lincoln Park, but because of severe weather damage that closed the park to the public, the event was moved to Ellsworth Park, located at 110 W. Ellsworth St. in Danville.
“We did have to pivot this year. Traditionally, we’ve been hosted in Lincoln Park, but because of the storm damage, we had to find somewhere to relocate, and so we chose Ellsworth, because it was large enough to accommodate everything,” Runyan said. “The city has just been absolutely wonderful… Public Works has been great… they helped with power accessibility for our food trucks… the park looks great.”
If you need help getting around the event, head on over to the hospitality tent. There will be a side-by-side vehicle to help those enjoy the event regardless of personal accessibility.
“I hear so often ‘there’s nothing to do in Danville.’ Literally, this weekend its Arts in the Park, last weekend, a two-day Juneteenth celebration at Ellsworth as well,” Runyan said. “There are so many things that you can get your children involved in that will, you know, keep you busy, keep you entertained… there’s just live performances everywhere that you look.”