79°F
weather icon Clear

Artists, crafters to show wares at weekend festival

Art in the Park returns to Boulder City this weekend after a one-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two-day festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, in four downtown parks: Bicentennial, North Escalante, South Escalante and Wilbur Square.

This year’s event honors health care heroes, recognizing first responders, employees and volunteers who work to keep the community safe and healthy.

Boulder City Hospital Foundation organizes the festival as one of its main fundraisers for the nonprofit medical facility.

This year’s featured artist, Gregg “Viz” Visintainer, was commissioned to create a special tribute to health care workers and first responders. Done during the height of the pandemic, the piece features health care workers caring for a patient in front of a flag. Hidden within the pen and ink drawing are items associated with health care such as a bandage, stethoscope, syringe, crutch and helicopter.

Visintainer is a self-taught artist. After a severe car accident and two back surgeries, he set aside his artwork for six years as he struggled with “personal demons.” At 24, in an effort to focus on something besides his loneliness, he returned to his art.

According to the hospital foundation, Visintainer’s artwork is described as “extreme doodling.” Every piece features hidden pictures and words that draw viewers into the art as well as raising interest into the story behind the messages.

Organizers are expecting more than 330 exhibitors, who will showcase a variety of fine arts, fine crafts and traditional crafts. Additionally, there will be live entertainment and a variety of food booths.

Also, Boulder City Fire Department will be offering free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations on-site.

A ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, featuring Mayor Kiernan McManus and Rep. Susie Lee, will kick off the 57th annual event.

The festival benefits Boulder City Hospital to purchase needed equipment and make capital investments, said Victoria George, the hospital’s director of marketing and community engagement.

Art in the Park generally attracts about 100,000 visitors. Admission is free.

A shuttle is being offered from the parking area at Veterans’ Memorial Park, 1650 Buchanan Blvd. There is a $10 fee to park, but no extra cost to ride the shuttle to the downtown parks.

Hali Bernstein Saylor is editor of the Boulder City Review. She can be reached at hsaylor@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9523. Follow @HalisComment on Twitter.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
BCHS going strong at 85

The 2025–26 school year is off to a fantastic start at Boulder City High School.

Falls at home place seniors at significant risk

We may crack up watching slip and fall accidents on TikTok or “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, but in real life, especially for seniors, it’s no laughing matter.

Wine Walk returns with new lineup of themes

September kicks off the busiest time of the year in terms of community events in Boulder City.

Local schools welcome new staff faces

Author John Steinbeck once wrote, “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.”

Who’s supposed to weed out the weeds?

“In the weeds” is a phrase used in the restaurant industry to describe when the front and/or back of the house becomes overwhelmed with orders, creating kitchen chaos.

Howdy, partner! Western Inn Motel has new owners

For nearly 90 years, the Western Inn Motel has served as a temporary place for residents as well as travelers on their way to Hoover Dam, Las Vegas and beyond.

Healthy aging at any age

Healthy aging is the process of maintaining good physical, mental, and social health and well-being as we grow older. It is not just for older adults. It starts at any age. There are key areas of health that can help you stay strong and healthy throughout your life.

When household products overpromise and actually deliver

Every now and again you come across a product that makes you stand back and say, “Wow, that worked way better than I thought it would!” These gleeful moments come as a welcome surprise when we’re often disappointed by products that overpromise and under-deliver. When I find these little gems, I store them away in my mental DIY toolbox. This past month, I was happy to add a few more “must have” products that exceeded my expectations.

Summer is a time to be safe

It’s a safe bet that the one thing we all have in common every summer is managing the extreme heat and our body’s reaction to the excessive temperature prevalent in our geographic location.

Free fishing fun

Logan Davis, along with his kids Winter and Maverick, tried their best to catch a fish Saturday, along with all the many others who enjoyed the city’s free fishing day at the pond at Veterans Memorial Park.