SPRINGVILLE -- Residents' affinity for cultural events earned Springville the nickname "Art City," and every summer this south Utah County town proudly reinforces its art-minded reputation.
Springville kicks off its annual Art City Days celebration this weekend with the theme "Looking to the Future."Festivities begin June 5 and run through June 12.
A parade, an art festival, a business expo, a baby contest, a 5K road race and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament are also planned, as well as performances of the plays "Pirates of Penzance" and "Saving Grace."
Matt Bushman, a popular folk and folk rock singer, and his band, The Jersey Stopover, will perform a free concert on June 11 at the Spring Acres Arts Park. The hot air balloon festival is set for June 10-12. It will include 20 balloons, including a gigantic Smokey Bear balloon that is nine stories tall, contains five miles of thread and required 4,670 square yards of material to create.
The Grand Parade begins at 10 a.m. on June 12. The parade route starts at Berg Mortuary on 400 South and proceeds west to Main Street, then north until 200 North. Longtime Springville residents Eli and Marion Tippetts will be the grand marshals.
June 11-12, several local artists and authors will be displaying and selling their works. Among those who will be in attendance are artists Judy Law, Del Parsons, Gary Price, Mary Reeder and David Lindsley. Storm Testament series author Lee Nelson and craft book creator Laura Torres will do book signings.
Art City Days will culminate June 12 with the Little Buckaroo Rodeo at the Springville Arena, which will be followed by the 23rd Army Band concert. After dark, a fireworks show will light up the sky above Springville.
Here is a schedule of events:
-- 75th Annual Spring Salon exhibit, Art Museum, through July 11, free.
*"Pirates of Penzance," Villa Playhouse Theatre, June 3-12, 7:30 p.m, cost is $7-$9.
*"Saving Grace," Springville Playhouse, June 4, 5,7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, cost is $5.
*Baby Contest, Springville High School, June 5, 10 a.m., entry fee.
*City Band Concert, Spring Acres Arts Park, June 7, 7:30 p.m., free.
*Performing Arts Festival Concert, Art Museum, June 9, 7 p.m., free.
*3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Springville High School, June 9, 5 p.m., entry fee $20.
*Carnival, Civic Center North Lawn, June 9-12, cost varies.
*Hot Air Balloon Launch, Springville Junior High, June 10-12, 6:30 a.m., free.
*Volunteer Firemen's Breakfast, Springville Fire Station, June 10-12, 6-10 a.m., adult, child prices.
*Youth Day/Dance, Spring Acres Arts Park, June 10, 6 p.m.-10:45 p.m., cost is $3.
*Springville Art Festival, Civic Center Park, June 11, 1 p.m.-7 p.m., June 12 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free.
*Matt Bushman Concert, Spring Acres Arts Park, June 11, 8 p.m., free.
*Children's Art Festival, Art Museum, June 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free.
*Children's Parade, Grant School, June 11, 10 a.m., free.
*Firemen's Hamburger Fry, Springville Fire Station, June 11, 4-8 p.m., June 12 after parade, cost varies.
*Flower Show, Art Museum, June 11-12, free.
*Fun-A-Rama, National Guard Armory, June 11, 3-5 p.m., $.25 cents per game.
*Nimble Thimbles Exhibit, Art Shop, June 11-12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free.
*Senior Citizens' Pot Luck Dinner, Senior Citizens Center, June 11, 5 p.m., bring pot luck item.
*Nestle 5K Road Race, Springville High School, June 12, 6:30 a.m. sign-up, 7:30 a.m. race, entry fee required.
*Grand Parade, 400 South and Main streets, June 12, 10 a.m., free.
*Springville Business Expo, Civic Center Park, June 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free.
*Outdoor Entertainment, Civic Center Park, June 12, noon-7 p.m., free.
*Utah Valley Artists Guild Show, Art Museum, June 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free.
*Little Buckaroo Rodeo, Springville Arena, June 12, 5 p.m., $2.
*23rd Army Band Concert, Spring Acres Arts Park, June 12, 8 p.m., free.
*Fireworks, north of Springville High School, June 12, 10 p.m., free.
*Art City Amateur Gold Tourney, Hobble Creek Golf Course, June 19-20, entry fee required.