Get ready for Art in the Park at Alexandria City Park this weekend – Alexandria Echo Press

ALEXANDRIA

— It is that time of year again –

Art in the Park

– one of Alexandria’s largest art, music and food festivals.

The 48th annual event, Andria Theatre’s major fundraiser, will take place Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The two-day festival will take place at Alexandria City Park, 118 City Park Road.

Currently, there are 109 vendors signed up along with 12 food vendors, according to Karley Colberg, executive director of the

Andria Theatre

. She said this year’s food vendors include Papa K’s rescue BBQ, Sorny B’s, Doug’s Kettle Korn, Notsch and Hoffman Concessions, Tilly’s Sweet Treats, Griggs Cuisine, Colby’s World Classics, Kosters Curds for College, Sunsational Bowls, Beau Coffee Co., A Taste for Crafts and Spark Boba Tea.

“Both Spark Boba Tea and Sunsational Bowls are fairly new as this is their first or second event ever,” said Colberg. She added that there are many unique vendors this year including Stone Oil Candles, Minnesota based Children’s Author Gary Harbo, The Little Apiary Honey plus many more.

The mediums or categories this year include 2D art, apparel, artisan jewelry, candles, ceramics/glass, home decor, metal, naturals, painting, pre-packaged foods, service, soap, textiles/fibers, wood art, wood furniture and woodworking.

Entry is free both days, but there is a $5 parking fee per vehicle. All proceeds go to the

Andria Theatre

. Organizers encourage people to experience the art, the variety of ethnic and Minnesota food options and the variety of entertainment that will be performed on two separate stages within the park.

This is an outdoor event so be prepared for any type of weather. If hot, as it has so often been, make sure to stay hydrated. Water is available to purchase from several food vendors or plan to bring your own.

The entertainment for this year’s event, which will take place at the lower, larger stage and the upper, smaller stage, is as follows:

Saturday, July 26

• 9 a.m. – The Lady Slippers and Sax Appeal
• 10 a.m. – The Lady Slippers and Sellin Music
• 11 a.m. – Student Theatre Project and Sellin Music
• 12 and 1 p.m. – Zoe Says Go and Greg Herriges
• 2 p.m. – Jewelweed Jam and Brooklyn Marie
• 3 p.m. – Jewelweed Jam and Alex the Traveler
• 4 p.m. – Jewelweed Jam

Sunday, July 27

• 10 a.m. – Johari Tribe and Sax Appeal
• 11 a.m. – The Nobles
• 12 p.m. – Sawyer’s Dream and The Nobles
• 1 p.m. – Sawyer’s Dream and Adam Hammer
• 2 p.m. – Greg Herriges

For more information, visit

andriatheatre.org/events/art-in-the-park.

Celeste Edenloff is the special projects editor and a reporter for the Alexandria Echo Press. She has lived in the Alexandria Lakes Area since 1997. She first worked for the Echo Press as a reporter from 1999 to 2011, and returned in 2016 to once again report on the community she calls home.