Sunrise Festival Of The Arts July 14

As the sun rises on the Sunrise City, tents stand tall, merchandise shines on tables, and friends stop to say hello. Sunrise Festival of the Arts celebrates 28 years in Veteran's Memorial Park, Sidney Montana, on July 14 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., presented by XTO Energy.

Sunrise Festival of the Arts connects local and regional artists, craftspeople, and authors along Writer's Row with shoppers and enthusiasts. The Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Sunrise Festival Committee works tirelessly to plan and execute a full day of shopping, demonstrations, live entertainment, food options and kid's activities including the Kid's Korner and Child Safety IDs. Purchase a Sunrise Festival button and redeem discounts offered by local merchants and enter to win prizes, including the annual grand prize: a piece of art from the featured artist of the year.

Every year the Sunrise Festival of the Arts committee chooses a featured artist, recognized for their talent and unique style. This year the committee selected photographer Sean R. Heavey from Glasgow, Montana. Heavey earned the nickname "Weather Paparazzi" for his relentless storm chasing to capture the perfect image. Publications such as the New York Post, Boston Globe, Popular Science, USA Today, and National Geographic printed his impressive photographs. This year's chosen art piece, "The Mothership" showcases a massive supercell rolling across the plains at sunset, capturing the terrifying beauty of a Montana storm in striking clarity.

On Friday July 13 at 6 p.m., enjoy the Sunrise Festival's Free Kick off Concert featuring The Sound Exchange, a five member a capella group based in Minnesota's Twin Cities. The group kicks off Sunrise Festival as entertainment for the "Light the Park" cancer care fundraising event. The Foundation for Community Care will erect a VIP tent in Veterans Memorial Park for the performance. Admission to the VIP tent is $30 and proceeds benefit Sidney Health Center Cancer Care. Each VIP admission ticket includes food, drinks, and a lantern hung in the park in honor or memory of a loved one affected by cancer. Tickets for the VIP tent are available at the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce or the Foundation for Community Care.  For additional information or to make a donation to the Sidney Health Center Cancer Care call 488-2273 or visit foundationforcommunitycare.org.

To learn more about this year's festival, including vendor information, contact the Sidney Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at 406-433-1916, visit their website at sidneymt.com, or refer to their Facebook page: Facebook.com/SidneyMTChamber.