Upon a first visit to Bowling Green or after arriving as a new resident, it’s easy to see the area is a hot bed of motorsports and outdoor fun. Corvette attractions, Beech Bend Raceway, Lost River Cave, Mammoth Cave NP and others offer great recreational opportunities and events.
But there’s an artsy side to this town that deserves its own signature festival!
A group of local arts enthusiasts discussed the need for such an event, hoping to shine a collective light on the treasure trove of talented writers, performers, artists, and makers in our community.
And so, the inaugural White Squirrel Arts Fest will be April 21-23 in Downtown Bowling Green. Multiple city blocks and locations will be blooming all weekend with an exciting variety of events, from existing arts-related happenings at SKyPAC, SoKY Marketplace and Tidball’s to visual, performing, and literary arts experiences presented in a brand new way.
Friday night kicks off with a concert by Seals&Crofts2 at the Capitol Arts Theater at 7pm followed by an all-day arts extravaganza with vendors, STEAM demonstrations, art activities, performances, displays, talent shows and more on Saturday. The Fest ends on Sunday evening back at the Capitol with Concert Jim’s Homemade Jam tribute concert.
White Squirrel Arts Fest will offer a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds on Saturday from 10am to 5pm, stretching from Fountain Square Park to Circus Square Park and beyond to the Shake Rag District, White Squirrel Brewery, Warren County Public Library and WKU’s Hardin Planetarium.
Engage with arts and crafts vendors, catch emerging talent at the Youth Talent Show, feel the energy at the adult poetry slam, meet with authors presenting their works, enjoy artists in action and street performers, learn about arts opportunities, experience the reading of an original play script with Fountain Square Players, and even witness a special surprise! Food trucks will be available, and patrons over 21 can enjoy to-go drinks from vendors and establishments within the boundaries of the new Fountain Row entertainment destination center.
Activities are still being planned, so for the latest lineup of festival events and other happenings, visit WhiteSquirrelArtsFest.com or follow on Facebook as the festival draws nearer. If you’d like to be involved, there’s still time! Whether you want to lead an arts activity, have visual art or handcrafted items to sell, would like to demonstrate a STEAM-related skill, or just want to volunteer, email us at info@whitesquirrelartsfest.com. And if you can’t make it this year, we’d love to have you join us in planning for next year!
Why White Squirrel? Bowling Green has one of the largest populations of white squirrels in the United States and our premiere craft brewery even pays homage to them, so we decided this quirky fact complemented our artistic achievements. Just as a white squirrel is striking no matter the backdrop, our artists’ works are striking no matter the medium. Come get nuts about the arts with us!
The festival is made possible through funding provided by the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Ginger Cleary State Farm Office.
-submitted by White Squirrel Arts Fest board members
