August Kicks Off with Park City's Kimball Arts Festival

Art lovers rejoice! Hundreds of North American artists will descend upon Park City’s Historic Main Street to showcase and sell their works during the Kimball Arts Festival, August 3 to 5. Home to what has become one of the top-rated arts festivals in the U.S., Park City once again has the chance to shine for the 49^th annual festival. This year, 225 artists were selected via a blind jury and invited to participate. They will come from 34 states and Canada.

Not only is this all-weekend event a celebration of art, but it also serves as the largest fundraiser for the Kimball Art Center. As part of a collaboration with Park City to share its vision of a sustainable, walkable, livable, vibrant Arts and Culture District, the Kimball Art Center intends to be an anchor tenant in the space, which is slated to debut in 2022.

This favorite weekend for locals and visitors alike will kick off Friday evening, August 3 at 5 p.m. with free entry for Summit County residents. This is a wonderful tradition the Festival adopted several years ago as a way of giving back to the community. The energy on this night is amazing as it has really become a community celebration with a street party vibe. Locals enjoy getting a first glimpse of the wide variety of showcased art while running into friends and neighbors every step of the way. The Arts Fest continues on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets for admission are valid for three days. Save time and money by purchasing tickets in advance at www.ParkCityKimballArtsFestival.com. It’s $12.00 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6 to 17, and free for 5 and under. Once the Fest starts, adult tickets are $15.

While visual art is the headliner, the entertainment doesn’t stop there. Enjoy local, live music with more than 30 acts slated to perform on three stages along the street – the Kimball Stage, the Miner’s Stage, and the Food Truck Stage – all day and evening. In addition to the many eateries that line Main Street, there will be a variety of food trucks to satisfy your summer hunger and three beer and wine gardens to quench your thirst.

There are some new offerings this year that sound pretty enticing. Attendees 21 and over can explore the Vida Tequila Lounge and enjoy a specialty cocktail — the Vida MargARTrita — crafted just for Arts Fest. Additionally, Kimball Art Center teachers will host a Studio on Main giving participants the opportunity to create unique pieces of art to take home. And if that doesn’t have you spinning enough— Peloton will offer a chance to experience its indoor cycling bike with live or on-demand classes. After all, you may want to work off the eats and drinks during the weekend!

There are various ways to maximize your exposure to the art without getting overwhelmed. Try walking one side of the Fest on one day and the other side the next. Only have one day to devote? Stroll one half, stop for lunch or dinner, and experience the other half afterward. Another notable tip is that toward the end of the day on Sunday, artists may be more willing to negotiate as they generally prefer to go home with as few of their creations as possible. Regardless of the strategy that suits you best, you’re guaranteed to get your fill of unique jewelry, painting, sculpture, mixed media, pottery, and more!

Since more than 50,000 people descend upon our mountain town for the weekend’s festivities, your best bet is to walk, bike, or ride the bus to enjoy it all. Driving into town is a hassle that is strongly discouraged. Free parking is available at Park City High School, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain resorts, with free and frequent buses providing transportation to and from these stops.