Iowa Arts Festival Day 3: Art is Everywhere

By Lauren Arzbaecher

We have reached the end of the 2019 Iowa Arts Festival. It has been a wonderful three days of fun and recognition of our local creative community. Artists of all ages and cultures took part in the final day’s festivities.

A child paints a Summer of the Arts t-shirt.
Photo by Lauren Arzbaecher

It was the last day to enjoy the tasty foods available from the food truck purveyors. Some popular options were the cubano sandwich from La Calle, pork on a stick from Yolanda’s BBQ, and locally sourced ice cream from Moo Moo’s Ice Cream Truck. While these food vendors won’t be parked on Iowa Avenue after the festival is over, many are from Iowa City or nearby towns, so the delicious dishes aren’t too far away.

Young artists shined on the last day, including West High senior Lucy Polyak and Fools’ own Elly Hofmaier. Horse Feathers performed a second time, the Portland group making the most of their time in Iowa City. Other local musical acts came out to close the festival, the energetic Nikki Lunden a crowd favorite.

Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico.
Photo by Lauren Arzbaecher

Several large group performances were scattered throughout the day. Young dancers from Quad Cities Ballet Folklorico had a visually stunning performance that celebrated Latinx culture. The show featured three separate dances in which dancers donned traditional outfits. The Johnson Country Ukulele Social Club and the Silver Swing Jazz Band also played, showing the power of community members shared interest in music.  

Though the Iowa Arts Festival is over, the Summer for the Arts has just begun. Live concerts are every Friday night in the Pedestrian Mall and free movies are to be screened in the Pentacrest each Saturday starting June 8th. Jazz Fest and Soul Fest are coming to downtown later in the summer, a time to further celebrate Iowa’s creative roots.