Sunrise Art Festival to be Held July 7-8

The 27th Annual Sunrise Festival of the Arts will be held July 7 and 8, and with it will come a whole host of opportunities to the public for involvement and entertainment. Held at Veterans Memorial Park in Sidney, hundreds of attendees and many vendors will converge to celebrate the arts, crafts and entertainment.

Madina McGlothern, the communications manager for the Sidney Chamber of Commerce since February, spoke to the Roundup about the upcoming events, and explained that they are expecting new vendors, new events, and fresh entertainment.

McGlothern stated, "We try to continue to keep the event new and interesting every year, so even though the basis of the event stays the same, which is to celebrate the arts, there's always something new from last year. There are new people, new visitors, new vendors, new art, new entertainment and new opportunities."

When asked what kind of entertainment will be new this year, McGlothern said, "Vendors always change, so the art is always new. Additionally, this year we have the concert in the park the night before, with TigirLily. They'll be performing at 7pm on Friday and that's free to the public."

TigirLily is a duo musical act of two sisters from North Dakota, Kendra and Krista. They have 4.9 million views on YouTube, and have opened for acts like Big and Rich, Justin Taylor and more. Combining pop, country and folk music, the pair has debuted an album that reached the top 20 for country music on iTunes and the top 10 on the Country Heatseekers Chart. They have also performed at gubernatorial inaugurations, popular venues like the House of Blues, the PBR rodeo, World of Outlaws Racing and other sporting events. TigirLily also received the 2016 breakout artist award at the North Dakota Music Awards.

Children will also have their own entertainment at "Kids Korner," which is sponsored by Montana Dakota Utilities.

Aside from musical entertainment, patrons and visitors to the Sunrise Festival of the Arts will be able to become hands-on in their art experience, with opportunities provided for art classes. Five total classes will be offered, and for a small supplies fee, visitors can learn how to create their own art and will be able to take home their artistic creation.

"We'll have art classes throughout the day," McGlothern told the Roundup, "and that information is available on the website."

Along with art classes, door prizes will be given away and those who purchase buttons will receive discounts at local business partners of the Chamber of Commerce.

"Our corporate sponsor is XTO, which infuses us with additional resources to help with our advertising and putting on a quality festival," McGlothern said.

She continued, saying "The most important thing for us to get across to people is that there's still room for vendors and visitors. We want people to participate and display their art and interact, and people to come and visit and take part."

McGlothern estimates five or six hundred people take part in the festival annually, and hopes that the upcoming festival in 2017 will see as many – or more – people take the time to enjoy the opportunities offered.