Watford City Homefest Features Art In The Park, Live Entertainment, Games & More July 12-13

The Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce, McKenzie County Long X Arts Foundation and Watford City Parks and Recreation are keeping the Homefest tradition alive in Watford City July 12-13 as a way to welcome those returning for a visit and those who have made Watford City their new home.

Homefest events kick off Friday with the much-anticipated theater performance of "Pinocchio" presented by area youth who participated and rehearsed with the Missoula Children's Theater traveling theater organization. Catch these kiddos perform at 7 p.m. at the Watford City High School Theater. Then, Main Street will be buzzing at the street dance featuring the music of "Moments Nothice" from at 8 p.m. to Midnight.

Saturday is full of fun, starting with the Parks and Recreation's Homefest Run. The starting line is at the Tourist Park and registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the run beginning at 9 a.m.  The friendly competition continues that morning with the Homefest Mud Volleyball Tournament beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a 10 a.m. team check-in at the Tourist Park. For the Cornhole enthusiasts, competitors and spectators can head over to Main Street at 3 p.m. for the Watford City Cornhole Tournament. Competitors must be 21 and over and must be registered by July 10. For more information and to register for these events visit www.watfordcityparks.com.

You can catch the second performance of "Pinocchio" at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Watford City High School Theater.

ART IN THE PARK

The Long X Arts Foundation is hosting Art in the Park at the Watford City Tourist Park on Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

This family friendly event has become a community tradition that features booths and shopping by local artists, crafters and makers, food by McKenzie County Parks and Recreation, free art activities for the kids, face painting, free caricatures, a talent show, a baby pageant, and quality entertainment by nationally touring Juggler, Acrobat and Aerialist, Laura Ernst. This year, for the first time ever, the event will also host two foam parties that families can enjoy for free from 1-2 p.m. and again from 3-4 p.m.!

Beaver Creek Kids will be hosting the ever-popular Baby Pageant at 11 a.m. to help kick off the event. Enter your 0-23-month-old for prizes for a $10 registration fee.

"This is always such a fun way to celebrate our young community, the families really get creative and every baby gets a prize!"

At 2 p.m., Long X Arts will host the Homefest Talent Contest on the Tourist Park Stage, sponsored by the Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce. Participants can enter in four different age groups: Kids-0-8, Youth-9-12, Teen-13-18 and Ault 19 +. Prizes will be awarded to all and the top winner in each age category will be chose to perform at Ribfest on Aug. 9.  Those interested in entering the talent contest can contact the Long X Arts Foundation at 701-770-9659 or visit www.longxarts.com.

In addition to activities and shopping at the Tourist Park, artists and makers will also be set up in the Gallery of First International Bank and Trust on Main Street from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  The Tourist Park is a beautiful, shady space to enjoy the day with the family, complete with a playground for the kids and the day will be full of fun ways to interact with your neighbors and the gallery show on Main Street is just another reason to head up town to shop before enjoying the street dance on Saturday. Saturday's featured music is by "DJ Pigmy" from 8 p.m. to midnight.

With a variety of activities and events to enjoy for all ages, grab your friends and family and spend the weekend in Watford City!

For a full schedule and list of vendors or questions about Art in the Park visit  longxarts.com/events/artinthepark/  or  contact Jessie at 701-770-8659 or [email protected].

For questions about the street dance schedule contact the Watford City Area Chamber of Commerce at 701-570-5084 or [email protected].