Summer Nights Arts Festival this weekend

PAM CLIFTON, Contributing Writer

Advocating and celebrating all local artists and musicians. That’s the focus for Mineral Area Council on the Arts’ weekend event.

MACOA’s first-ever Summer Nights Arts Festival takes place Friday and Saturday in downtown Farmington.

Festivities kick off Friday at 5 p.m. and continue Saturday at 11 a.m.

There are plenty of fun activities for people of all ages.

The two-day event features local artists who will display and sell their artwork, musical acts, giveaways, raffles, corn hole tournament and sidewalk chalk contest. Raffle items are from local businesses and art from participating artists.

Food may be purchased from participating food trucks, and 102 Tap House is sponsoring a beer garden.

Kids can make and take art projects at the Creation Station, get a balloon animal and get their face painted. These events are sponsored by New Era Bank of Fredericktown.

Local musicians performing at the festival include Sam Gallaher, The Outsiders, London Miscisin, Caden McNail, Jackie Tyler and the Locals, and Broseph Tucker Band.

All arts festival attendees can get a card stamped at various booths and be entered to win one of several prize giveaways, including gift cards, baskets and MACOA merchandise.

Event sponsors for the MACOA Summer Nights Arts Festival include Discover Farmington, Cap America, The Shed Vapes, Artistic Flex Boutique, and The Law Office of Hartmann, Duffe, and Pegram.

Other sponsors include Parkland Health Center, SMTS, Pasta House, Buffalo Wild Wings, Thomas Beckermann Realtor, Mineral Area College Art Club, Estate Solutions by Denny, Kore Salon, The Magic Shop, Bold Spoon Creamery, Pettus Automotive, Mineral Area Community Elks #2583 of Desloge and Swinford Realty.

MACOA Executive Director Tiffany Gallaher said this festival is the result of a lot of planning, hard work and generosity of the community.

“This locals-only festival celebrates the talent we have in our area,” she said. “The artists cover all aspects of art, from printmaking, painting and ceramics, to leather, jewelry, tie-dye and illustration.”

In addition to artists, Gallaher said the community is fortunate to have a huge lineup of local musicians.

“Music will be happening for the entirety of the festival,” she said.

Gallaher expressed her appreciation on behalf of MACOA to the community for supporting the organization and its events.

“MACOA is excited to continue to branch out into all areas of the arts and bring in amazing acts while also supporting and advocating for our local artists as well,” she said. “Our goal is for this arts festival to become an annual event.”

She added that this week’s event will take place regardless of the weather.

“If there is rain, we will announce by Thursday if the festival will be held on Columbia Street or at Long Hall,” she said. “Music, vendors and food trucks will be at Long Hall if it rains.”