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Locals’ night is Park City Kimball Arts Festival’s way of saying thanks

Robin Marrouche, executive director of the Kimball Art Center, said the Park City Kimball Arts Festival will show appreciation to locals by admitting Summit County residents into the festival for free on Friday night. (Park Record file photo)
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For 45 years, the Kimball Art Center (KAC) has presented the Park City Kimball Arts Festival.

The festival, which is the largest fundraiser of the year for the KAC, requires a lot of sacrifices for local residents.

First, Main Street is closed for the entire weekend, which means residents have to find and navigate alternate routes to otherwise accessible areas around town.

Second, parking becomes a rare commodity and, third, the town sees an influx of up to 50,000 people, said Robin Marrouche, KAC executive director.

To show its appreciation all Summit County residents will be admitted for free when the festival opens on Main Street at 5 p.m. Friday night.

"We are asking people to bring I.D. with them and if they live in Summit County, they can come right in," Marrouche told The Park Record. "It’s a celebration of the support the community gives the KAC all year. As our biggest fundraiser of the year and a community-wide event. We want to express our gratitude."

Opening night has become a popular tradition for the festival, Marrouche said.

"It’s such a magical night because it’s an opportunity for locals to come out and see friends and neighbors and get a first look at the art," she said. "Locals help us in every aspect of the festival, especially our volunteers. Every year it would cost us tens of thousands of dollars to staff all those positions."

Originally, the opening night was a quiet preview for Summit County and Park City residents, according to Marrouche.

"Word got out and it’s become something more," she said. "It’s become one of the more popular times to come to the arts festival, because there is an incredible energy and electric vibe, especially during the golden twilight hour."

Those who aren’t Summit County residents can also enjoy the first night of the festival. Cost of admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and kids younger than 5 are admitted for free.

"Everything will be open and ready to go, but those who come will get first pick of the art," Marrouche said. ‘The artists start setting up their booths at 4 a.m. Friday morning. It’s a long day for the artist, but they are excited about it."

In addition to locals’ night on Friday, the Park City Kimball Arts Festival will host a Kimball Art Center membership drive throughout the weekend. Yearlong memberships are $70 for individuals and $130 for a family.

"People can buy a new membership or renew their current membership and enter the opportunity drawing to win an art lovers trip to Las Vegas sponsored by MGM Resorts or two Epic Passes, with no blackout dates, donated by Vail and Canyons Resort," Marrouche said.

Other prizes in the MGM package include two tickets to Cirque du Soleil "O" at the Bellagio, dinner for two at Picasso, admission to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts and a one-hour private tour for two at the CityCenter’s Fine Art Collection.

Some of the benefits of a KAC membership include:

Invitations to members’ only receptions and tours of exhibits

  • A 10 percent discount on all art classes
  • An opportunity to showcase original art in the annual Member’s Pin-Up Show
  • A monthly newsletter and other special offers
  • A 10 percent discount on coffee drinks at Publik Coffee Roasters at the Kimball Art Center

    The membership drive is open to the public including locals and nonresidents.

    "They can either come visit us at the Kimball Art Center kiosk during the festival or go online at http://www.kimballartcenter.org/membership .

    "We are only selling a maximum of 1,000 tickets so odds of winning are good," Marrouche said. "The drawing will be on the Main Stage Sunday of Arts Fest at 5:30 p.m. And you do not need to be present to win."

    Marrouche is looking forward to this year’s festival.

    "We are so proud of the festival, because it’s the longest arts festival in the West," she said. "To keep it alive and growing and exciting every year is very rewarding."

    The Park City Kimball Arts Festival will run Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3. Friday’s hours are 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Summit County residents will be admitted for free; Saturday’s hours run from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday’s hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Admission wristband are $10. Wristbands that are purchased on Friday, can be use for re-entry on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit http://www.kimballartcenter.org.


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