2025 Munson Arts Festival, the area’s longest-running summertime celebration of art and community, kicks off July 12
Utica, N.Y. — Munson’s Arts Festival, the area’s longest-running summertime celebration of arts and community, kicks off Saturday, July 12, with the the Munson Community Car Show and Fountain Elms Invitational and runs through Sunday, July 20, with engaging demonstrations, crafts for kids, concerts, special events, and the centerpiece of the Festival, the Festival Art Show, available throughout the week.
The Festival Art Show will take place once again inside the Museum of Art Root Court. Additional events, including the 10th Annual Big Ol’ Steamrollin’ Prints Invitational on Thursday, July 17, will take place in the front of the Museum and on the newly completed front lawn. The 15th Annual Oneida County Youth Bureau Sidewalk Chalk Art Competition will take place in Palmer Park on Thursday, July 17, as well.
In addition to many of the Festival’s traditional events, Munson will host a variety of new events this year, including a Puppy Parade in partnership with Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society, a foam party for kids, and a powdered color battle. On Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19, the Museum’s front lawn will host concerts featuring The D King and Amos Donnell Experience and alt-folk rock band Our Common Roots, respectively. Both evening celebrations include a beer garden under the tent.
Thursday, July 17, will also feature a Pride Party with live music by Pat Tato and the Baked Potatoes, face painting by AuraGlow Art, lawn games, and a cash bar.
Munson’s extraordinary feature exhibition, “Celestial Bodies: Sculpture by Karen LaMonte,” is also on view in the second floor galleries for visitors to explore, with docents available for questions from 1 to 3 p.m. daily throughout the Festival. Admission is $10 for the general public and free for Munson Members.
For more information about the Festival, including the daily schedule of events, visit munson.art/festival.
For media inquiries or more information, please contact Katie Voce, communications manager, at 315-797-0000 ext. 2147 or via email at kvoce@munson.art.
