by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
The annual Millstream Arts Festival will take place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 in downtown St. Joseph.
The event is an outdoor juried art show that draws many people to the area and includes a variety of music, dancing, visual arts, literature and poetry, foods, children’s activities and more.
The chairman of the festival board, Alicia Peters, has been busy preparing for the event.
“Millstream is a labor of love,” Peters said. “Everyone (who is) a part of the festival loves the festival.”
Festival music coordinator and board member Jeff Engholm said the event is a good balance of the arts.
“I think the Millstream Arts Festival has consistently been an extremely well-run and a fun festival to attend,” Engholm said. “It’s a perfect balance of art, music, dance, food and people, and the setting of downtown St Joseph frames it all so beautifully.”
This year’s scheduled entertainment includes from 11 a.m.-noon the CSB/SJU Jazz Ensemble, 12:15-1:15 p.m. Random Road, 1:30-2:20 p.m. Greg Herriges, 2:30-3:40 p.m. Lehto and Wright, and 3:45-5 p.m. the Stearns County Pachanga Society.
Street performances scheduled include from noon-2 p.m. the Granite City Cloggers, 1-3 p.m. Carnivale Revolver, and performing throughout the day are Chris Gustafson and Paul Imholte.
New and returning food options include burgers, authentic West African cuisine, artisan breads, Greek gyros, roasted nuts, fresh and local pork, soul food with a healthy twist, handmade German brats, handcrafted Midwestern cuisine and kettle corn.
Artists booths will include jewelry, ceramics, photography, mixed media, drawing, oil pastels, watercolors, acrylics, wood, metal, printmaking, glass, textiles and more.
The Book End will feature various authors and poets. Attendees can also listen to or recite poetry in the “Poetry and a Pint” tent on the Bad Habit Brewery patio.
“Providing a quality experience has always been at the core of our mission,” Peters said. “This is evident from the amazing artists to the talented musicians, the literary artists and the food.”
Additional attractions include a children’s art area and history tours from noon-4 p.m. at the Art and Heritage Place at St. Benedict’s Monastery and from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the St. Joseph Historical Society, featuring Civil War memorabilia and vintage toys.
A vintage auto and tractor show is also planned.
Areas of the festival, including the children’s art area, will honor Jacob Wetterling whose memorial service is being held earlier on the same day on the College of St. Benedict campus.
Last year’s event drew thousands of people and was one of the best-attended in its history. More than 50 tents lined both sides of the street for several blocks.
“Each year, we work toward our goal of being waste-free and this year to continue (that) at the heart of sustainability we will be providing a bike corral,” Peters said. “Community members will be able to park their bike in a monitored area. We also express our love of the community through the collection of donations for the local food shelf.”
For more information visit www.millstreamartsfestival.org.
The annual Millstream Arts Festival will take place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 in downtown St. Joseph. Last year’s event was one of the best-attended in its history.
The annual Millstream Arts Festival will take place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 in downtown St. Joseph. Last year’s event was one of the best-attended in its history.
The annual Millstream Arts Festival will take place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25 in downtown St. Joseph. Last year’s event was one of the best-attended in its history.
