What’s new, what’s the same and what you should know before you go

The Greeley Arts Picnic is back on the calendar and this year attendees can expect to see some old things, some new things and a whole lot of fun in between.

“Folks can expect all the same wonderful things that we’ve had in years past,” said Andrea Haring, event organizer.  “We will have booths that will include some of our nonprofit groups and sponsors and then our arts and crafters.”

The official kickoff for the event begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Friday Fest in the 8th and 9th street plazas in downtown Greeley. Funkiphino, pronounced “funk-if-I-know,” a Colorado-based funk sensation band, will be setting the vibe for the event with live music.

Along with great music, Friday Fest will have fire spinners, vendors, plenty of options to keep your Go-Cup filled, free popcorn and lots of family friendly activities and entertainment.

Things really get started at 9 a.m. on Saturday in Lincoln Park, 802 10th St., with over 160 vendors showcasing amazing and unique pieces of artwork, handmade products and crafts.

 

Some of the vendors that will be onsite at the picnic include:

• Buffalo Valley Soaps
• I Wanna Paint That! Watercolors
• E&L Woodcraft
• Mark Ludy Arts and Books
• Hand of God Photography
• Stonecraft Arts sculptures
• Crystal Lee Jewelry
• Kelley Stained Glass
• Theresa’s Drive Floral Windows
• The Wandering Gypsy leather works
• D&L Designs custom metal art

Along with keeping your eyes busy browsing all the artwork, the picnic will have two stages providing live music and entertainment from a variety of artists and musicians. The stages will feature alternating performances throughout the weekend, Haring said.

Some of the performers on Saturday’s schedule include:

• 9:30 a.m. on the Plaza Stage — Troupe Sidysaan
• 10 a.m. on the Center Stage —Tumbledown Shack
• 2 p.m. on the Center Stage — George Gray and the Elvis Experience
• 3 p.m. on the Plaza Stage — Dave Beegle

On Sunday, the music continues with the following acts:

• 10 a.m. on the Plaza Stage — Kream of the Krop
• 11 a.m. on the Center Stage — West Hwy 7
• Noon on the Plaza Stage — Dick Buchholz
• 1 p.m. on the Center Stage — Cowboy’s Dead
• 2 p.m. on the Plaza Stage — Rusty 44
• 3 p.m. on the Center Stage — Bob Purcell and the Outriders

“We will have magicians and circus acts, as well,” Haring said.

While the arts picnic will have plenty of artwork and things to see, kids and families can try their hand at making some artsy crafts at the Kids Take and Create area sponsored by Madison and Main Gallery.

“We are creating over 700 take and create bags for kiddos with directions in each bag,” Haring said. “When we looked at gearing up, but still in the midst of COVID and not knowing exactly what the picnic would look like, we dreamt up take and create versus stations where kids would do it on the spot.”

“If kids are really wanting to, we will have craft tables out. Kids can take them or stay and put together the projects,” she added.

Paper bag puppets, magic wands, troll and fairy house and summer crows are just a few of the craft activities that will be available for kids to partake in.

Crafts will change between seven different projects every two hours, Haring explained.

There will also be face painting, button making and temporary tattoo stations for the kids.

Of course, no picnic is complete without food. Organizers have compiled a nice variety of food trucks that will sell snacks, beverages and other goodies as well as brewers for the event’s beer garden.

“We’ve expanded our footprint for the beer garden and will actually have two beer tents this year,” Haring said. “Again, when we were planning it and reserving our tents, we wanted to make sure we weren’t putting people on top of each other, so we wanted to expand it so people could spread out a little more.”

Some of the 11 food vendors that will be onsite include Big Squeeze Lemonade, Rumi’s House of Kabobs, Grammy’s Goodies and El Mero Mero.

To keep visitors safe, there will be more hand washing stations around the park, Haring said. Northern Colorado Health Alliance mobile vaccination unit will be in attendance throughout the weekend as well for anyone wanting to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

“That’s obviously different than in prior years,” she said. “Typically we just had hand washing stations by the bathrooms, but this year we will have some by the food court and strategically placed around the event.”

Some things to note before you head out for to enjoy the Greeley Arts Picnic:

• Sorry Fido, pets are not allowed at the event.
• While there will be seating areas in the food and entertainment areas, organizers have cut down the number of chairs provided and are asking attendees to bring blankets or lawn chairs from home.
• This is an outdoor event, so dress for the weather, pull out the bottle of sunscreen, bring a hat and wear sunglasses.
• Wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes. Many of the vendor booths are situated on the grass so there could be uneven areas. Wearing sturdy and comfortable shoes will help prevent injuries and keep your feet from aching after a day filled with walking.
• The mosquitos seem to be on their game this year, so wearing a bug repellent bracelet or applying spray bug repellent will help keep you bite free.
• There will be a misting tent at the event so that visitors can cool off throughout the day.
• Parking for the picnic is located around Lincoln Park and within walking distance.
• If you can’t find a parking space around the event, or want to avoid the crowded parking areas, opt for the free Park and Ride Shuttle. Shuttles will be available from Heath Middle School to Lincoln Park and back for the entire weekend. Shuttles will run approximately every 10 minutes beginning from 9 a.m.. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information on the Greeley Arts Picnic, go to https://bit.ly/3qo6kD7.