According to Kathy Diekman, Arts in the Park has something for everyone to enjoy.

The Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the fourth annual Arts in The Park Festival Saturday at Riverside Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival is a day filled with music, art, demonstrations, food and fun at one great price -- free, said Diekman, Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce event coordinator.

“It’s just a great afternoon of family fun,” Diekman said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The event is growing year by year, Diekman said. The Art in the Park committee is always looking to improve upon the year before.

New to the festival will be antique tractors and hot rods on display, she said. 

Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the live entertainment from local entertainers ready to fill the park with music.

The different bands will offer a variety of music from solo singer with guitars to a little bit of rock-n-roll, Diekman said.

“We wanted to mix it up,” she said.

Art demonstrations such as loom weaving, wheel throwing and quilting will be held along with art exhibits from local elementary school students and Southeast Community College art students. Also, under the shelter the ATA Black Belt Academy will provide demonstrations from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

The free kids craft area will include several craft projects to make and take. East Beatrice Business Association will have a coloring contest to participate in that day.  Face Painting provided by Beatrice Women of Today.

Children will have a variety of art projects to select from, including sun prints, creepy crawly spider bracelets and squiggly worm paintings, she said. They can do all of the projects if they desire or they can pick and choose.

Also, two walk though mazes designed by Beatrice High School students will provide fun for young and old, Diekman said.

“I think that’s awesome that they get the kids involved in it,” Diekman said.

Food vendors will offer grilled hamburgers, ribbon potatoes, cotton candy and funnel cakes.

Art vendors will sell a variety of items such as pottery, jewelry, wood crafts, primitive items, painted eggs, and more.

The Beatrice Humane Society will host its “Arfs in the Park” in conjunction with the event. A walkathon is scheduled from 11a.m. - 2 p.m. with a special Blessing of the Animals by the Rev. Jimmy Shelbourn at 11:30 am., at the westend shelter. Walkathon participants are encouraged to bring their dogs on leashes to the park to walk the trails and show their support for our shelter animals.

The Beatrice Humane Society will also be doing “Paw Prints”, said Bette Anne Thaut, Beatrice Humane Society board member. For $20, people can bring their dogs to the park and let them do some painting with their paws. The print will then be matted and frame and the person can take it home with them.

“It’s just a fun activity to go with the art that’s going on in the park,” she said.

All the money raised from the walkathon and the “paw prints” will go toward paying to keep the animal shelter in operation.

The whole Arts in the Park Festival will be a lot of fun for everyone, Diekman said. The event is made possible through a Hevelone Foundation grant.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Gage County Fairgrounds Ag Hall.

For more information about the event call the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce at 402-223-2338.