Friday Night Festivities

Celebrate the start of summer at the Iowa Arts Festival starting Friday, June 4th in downtown Iowa City. Friday night’s festivities kick off on the main stage at the corner of Iowa Avenue and Dubuque Street. We are proud to welcome two very talented singer-songwriters with Sarah Jarosz and Darrell Scott beginning at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the entire downtown area comes alive with a wide variety of activities and entertainment. The main stage entertainment starts at 10:30 a.m. running into the evening and culminating with a performance by Sonny Landreth, widely recognized as one of the best slide guitarists in the country. You can also drop off your non-winning Silver Lottery Tickets at the Iowa Lottery Booth across from the main stage and go into a drawing for cash prizes. Prizes will be awarded at 7 p.m. and you must be present to win. Winners will be announced right before The Honeydogs take the stage!

On Saturday and Sunday, The Art Fair will fill Washington St., Dubuque St., Linn St. and Iowa Avenue with some of the best and most original fine artists displaying and selling their work. Many have donated items that will be sold in the Kidztent. Sponsored by the Public Art Advisory Committee, this is an opportunity for children (no adults allowed!), to purchase their own artwork for $5 or less.

Global Village On Saturday

There will also be plenty to do and see on the Ped Mall throughout the weekend. West Bank presents Global Village on Saturday. Kids can visit 13 different booths and learn about different countries and cultures while getting their own passport stamped. Completed passports can be turned in for a free prize and chance to win a West Bank savings account or passes to the Iowa Children’s Museum. There will also be live entertainment on the Rockwell Collins Family Stage in the Black Hawk Mini Park and at the Weatherdance Fountain Stage throughout the day.

The Pines

Children’s Day On Sunday

On Sunday, Hills Bank and Little Village present Children’s Day, produced by the Iowa City Public Library. With over 17 stations, the kids can have fun with face painting, worm wrangling, making music, painting the town and many other activities. Live performances throughout the area as well as on the Family Stage add to the festive atmosphere.

Dustin Busch

NEW this year – visit the US Bank parking lot at the corner of Washington and Linn Street and enter the FUN Zone! With a combination of paid and free activities, families are sure to enjoy this added attraction. Also NEW this year – visit the Beverage Garden on Friday and Saturday evenings on Iowa Avenue while enjoying the performances on the Coors Light Main Stage.

Rad

Sonny Landreth

Throughout the weekend you can also enjoy some of the best food in the area by visiting one of our 19 food vendors in Culinary Row on Iowa Avenue, sponsored by Fresh Food Concepts.

The City of Iowa City’s Summer of the Arts (SotA) is an umbrella organization for local arts and culture events which include: Iowa Arts Festival, Toyota-Scion of Iowa City Jazz Festival, MidWestOne Bank Free Movie Series, The Press-Citizen’s Friday Night Concert Series, Bank of the West’s Sand in the City and The Downtown Association’s Downtown Saturday Night.

The mission of Summer of the Arts is to build community by bringing people together in the Iowa City area to experience, learn about, and enjoy the arts.

For more information please visit www.SummerOfTheArts.com