Art in the Park draws crowds, artists and creativity to Richland waterfront

With colorful booths stretching along the tree-lined paths of Howard Amon Park and music drifting through the summer air, thousands of visitors turned out for this year’s Art in the Park on opening day.

The annual two-day festival, hosted by the Allied Arts Association, brought together more than 200 artist from around the region. Shoppers browsed everything from handcrafted jewelry and pottery to fine art, ceramics and spa goods, all while taking in live performances and local food vendors. 

For Jenni Foxe, owner of Foxe Tails Co., the event is about more than sales. It’s about connecting with the community. 

“All my headbands are different sizes because every head is different,” said Foxe, who creates handmade headbands, scrunchies and spa accessories. “I like to make women feel like the queens they are.”

This year marked Foxe’s second time at the event, voted number 6 in “Best Festival in the United States 2024.” With one summer already under her belt, she said she felt more confident and prepared.

“I never stop being nervous, but I feel good this year,” she said. “This is probably one of my favorite markets to do. Everyone is so appreciative, even if they don’t buy, they stop to talk and learn about people.”

Mary Monet, a first time exhibitor from Walla Walla, said she was drawn to the Art in the Park for its reputation and quality. 

“It’s well publicized, the level of art is very professional, and there’s a wide variety of mediums,” she said. “It’s just a beautiful area, full of inspiration in the outdoors, the animals, the scenery, the water. It’s kind of an artist’s paradise.”

Also new to the festival was a ceramic artist from Sacramento, Calif. He demonstrated how his handmade herb grater plates and bowls strip fresh herbs and garlic. 

“They make awesome gifts,” he said while showing customers how to use the tools. “This is an awesome show, great people, great vibes.”

Beyond the artwork, several community organizations were also present. The Eastern Washington chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse staffed a booth for the third year. 

The group, known for supporting children through difficult legal processes, first got involved when they were selected as a nonprofit beneficiary. 

“We help empower children not to feel afraid of the world in which they live,” said the president who goes by the road name Rooski. “Over the years, we’ve gotten more involved with the community and with helping people understand our mission.”

Deborah Hamlin and Nancy Seveny, longtime visitors from Tri-Cities, said they’ve been coming to see the different art work since the 1970’s.

“You even see trends in art,” Hamlin said. “There were years when pottery was everywhere. This year, we saw some really unique pieces, wood flowers, glasswork, and even light-sensitive art that turns blue.”

The two said they appreciated recent changes, like wider aisles between booths but missed some of the old fundraising booths hosted by groups like the Boy Scouts and Kiwanis.

“We were involved in those when our kids were young,” Seveny said. “It was a great opportunity that’s kind of disappeared.”

For new visitors, their advice was simple: Come early, wear a hat and stay hydrated. 

From handcrafted ceramics to heartfelt causes, Art in the Park continues to be a celebration of creativity, community, and connection, with something for everyone, no matter their reason for coming.

How to go

Festival hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 25-26, at Howard Amon Park in Richland and is free to attend. It’s expected to draw more than 78,000 visitors from across the Northwest. 

Parking can be tight, but Ben Franklin Transit will run free shuttles every 15 minutes from:

• Richland High School
• Fran Rish Stadium
• Uptown Shopping Center

This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM.