Arts Task Force jumps in with ‘Art in Park’
The newly established Winsted Arts Task Force offered its first-ever arts event, Winsted’s Art in the Park at Mill Reserve Park in June.
The weather was perfect, allowing the crowd to wander freely and enjoy music, art displays, food, pop and beer, as well as a magician to the evening’s entertainment.
Many gathered at the new amphitheater at the north end of the park to listen to the Prairiegrass Band play its bluegrass music on that day.
The Arts Task Force team had planned the event as an evening of family entertainment, and to attract individuals interested in signing up to be part of an established arts council.
After much planning, a Winsted Arts Task Force is close to forming a standing independent arts council. The Arts Council, once established, will be an independent, non-profit entity.
A kick-off family event took place in June 2009, called “Art in the Park,” which took place at Mill Reserve Park, that gave a snapshot of what the task force was trying to accomplish, according to Arts Task Force team member Greg Gehrman.
“Art in the Park” offered free entertainment for the entire family, including booths of local artists, as well as magician Matt Dunn, and Prairiegrass Band, and a bluegrass band, that performed in the amphitheater.
To find out more about the pending Winsted Arts Council, check out the web site, winstedartscouncil.org. For questions, call (320 485-2443.
Arts Task Force team members Mary Neff and Julie Guggemos work their shift in the food tent. Food and drink were provided by the Blue Note.
WHAT UP group offers plenty of fun
Fun isn’t in short supply when the WHAT UP (Winsted Holding Activities That Unite People) Committee, a youth and family council, is around town.
The committee sponsored several outdoor movies last summer, the first of which was the Dr. Seuss movie “Horton Hears a Who,” presented at Winsted’s Mill Reserve Park in July.
This attracted about 150 people and proved to be so successful that another outdoor movie was presented in August.
The WHAT UP Committee was made an official volunteer committee of the city in May 2009.
This committee has created a dynamic program that provides activities for youth and family in the community, such as movies in the park, sports clinics, and game nights, among other events.
Members of the committee are: Jeff Campbell, Brett Monson, Mike Henrich, Rose Heimerl, Ana Dietrich, Allison Christensen, Terry Fasching, Erin Kutz, Leigha Felder, and Stephanie Wegner.
The group meets for monthly activities the third weekend of the month. Watch Herald Journal for meeting notices.
Children snuggle in and get ready to watch an outdoor movie in the park, sponsored by the WHAT UP committee.
