LEWISTON, Idaho – The signature events of the annual Dogwood Festival, the 34th annual Art Under the Elms (AUE) artisan fair, will be held on the Lewis-Clark State College campus on April 27-29.
AUE features more than 100 booths with regional artists, area nonprofit organizations, and food vendors, along with entertainment and family-friendly activities. The event runs 12-7 p.m. on April 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on April 28, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on April 29.
Admission for all three days is $3 and includes entry to the Artisan Green, Dogwood Tea Fairy Tent and the Family Fun Fair. There is free admission to the regional musical performances at the Student Union Building Amphitheater and the Food Court area, which offers several international dishes.
As well as featuring artisan vendors selling their creations, AUE includes a children’s interactive art tent where there will be activities for all ages, a Center on the Artisan Green that has artisan demonstrations and musicians, and a Tea Fairy Tent with tea parties all day on Saturday and Sunday. At the tea parties, children create miniature gardens to take home and can take part in a fairy parade.
The Family Fun Fair includes games and activities for all ages. The Lewiston Parks and Recreation Department will run the free bouncy castle for children. Back again is Community Row where attendees can learn about non-profit organizations in the Lewis-Clark Valley as well as take part in the 5th annual Art of Giving food drive, organized by LCSC student clubs. Both food items and money donations will be collected to benefit food banks in Nez Perce and Asotin counties. A donation of $1 or two cans of food will allow the donor to enter a prize drawing.
Another popular event returning this year is the painting parties with local artist Vicki Gertje. The painting parties will be held Saturday and Sunday and will have a $5 fee.
All proceeds from the event benefit the LCSC Continuing Education & Community Events program’s personal enrichment offerings. Sponsors for some of the events at AUE include Rachel Hossner: LifeWorks Counseling & Consulting, Nez Perce County Prosecutor Justin Coleman and P1FCU. For additional information on AUE or the Dogwood Festival, call 208-792-2447.