Cover Story
48th Annual Art In The Park
by Wendy Adams

It is that time of year again, Art in the Park, 2010! This year the 48th annual Art in the Park event will be held on October 2nd and 3rd in beautiful Boulder City, Nevada. Art in the Park is one of the largest juried outdoor art festivals in the Southwest and is the largest fundraiser for the non-profit Boulder City Hospital Foundation.

Art and craft lovers can enjoy this event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Boulder City Parks: Wilbur Square, Bicentennial, North Escalante, and South Escalante. Admission is free, and there is something to do for all ages.

This time-honored event had its beginnings in July of 1962 when the Boulder City Hospital Auxiliary organized the first “Art Festival” to raise funds for the new hospital building fund. Today the Hospital sees financial challenges with technology growing at a rapid speed, and new hospitals being built in neighboring Las Vegas. It is events such as Art in the Park that help the Hospital raise funds for its capital needs.

As in the past 47 years, there are enough tasks to go around for this big event. In a small town like Boulder City, Art in the Park has grown to be the biggest event of the year. It is the hard work of the Hospital Auxiliary, Hospital Staff and community volunteers who carry out the “tasks” of the show. Everyone who can help comes to set up the area as early as Thursday, two days before the show. Hours and hours of setting up booths, lining up the booths, registering hundreds of artists, and being sure that every little detail is covered.

All their hard work is worth it because beginning Saturday morning when the first visitor steps off the shuttle, they open their eyes to one of the best art shows on the West Coast!

Fine art, traditional art, fine crafts and traditional crafts can all be found at the event. Watercolor, oil and acrylic painting, woodworking, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and so much more will be displayed by the original artists for purchase.

Guests can shop ‘til they drop and then gain refreshment at any number of food and beverage booths. A variety of food choices include hot dogs, hamburgers, roasted cob corn, barbeque sandwiches, Italian, German, Mexican, Greek, Thai and Chinese fare. And then the desserts: funnel cakes, kettle corn, roasted nuts, fruity bars, strudel, frozen treats, candied apples, and more. Beverages include soda, water, beer, wine, margaritas, bloody marys and mimosas.

Entertainment for all is a standard at Art in the Park with music provided by Pure Evidence Audio. While relaxing in the shade of the trees at Bicentennial Park, guests may enjoy the stage entertainment held at the park’s traditional gazebo.

Each year a featured artist is selected and this year’s winner is former Boulder City resident, Patricia Ragone. Spending time on her art is her joy as she stated, “Since retiring from my left-brain career as an Operations Analyst, I am at liberty to follow my right-brain’s true calling and first love… ART!” Her whimsical watercolor rooster with tennis shoes will be decorating the event posters, programs and t-shirts. Be sure to pick up yours at the souvenir booth, it is truly a work of art!

Since the inception of Art in the Park, the event has boasted many talented artists, with each donating one of their original pieces to the event raffle. That tradition remains to date, making the raffle prizes a “hot treasure!” Raffle tickets go on sale the week of September 6th at the Boulder City Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shoppe, the Boulder City Hospital Foundation office and at the event. Special ticket sale days will also take place at the Boulder Dam Credit Union and at other Boulder City businesses. Winners will be notified by phone and can pick up their prizes at the event or at the Boulder City Hospital Foundation office.

Parking is available throughout Boulder City, which includes handicap parking. The event offers an off-site paid parking lot with paid shuttle service to and from the event. Maps and directions are available by visiting www.artinthepark.org. Please note that, for the safety of all visitors, non-service pets, bicycles, skateboards and scooters are prohibited.

If your business is interested in getting involved, sponsorship opportunities, media partnerships, and event program book advertisements are still available. As always we are looking for volunteers to help us carry out some of the tasks that make this event such a success. If you would like to be part of our volunteer team, please e-mail ygrouell@bouldercityhospital.org.

For more information about Art in the Park or Boulder City Hospital, please contact Wendy Adams at (702) 293-0214 or visit www.artinthepark.org and www.bouldercityhospital.org. We look forward to seeing you at this year’s 48th Annual Art in the Park!