Summer in the Mountains is a welcome respite
Vernon. A rare outing in Vernon this year because of the pandemic, this year’s festival tapped into the creativity of the community’s aspiring artists.
| 04 Aug 2020 | 11:21
Matthew gets creative (Photo by Janet Redyke)
Lasorsa family members work on their colorful designs (Photo by Janet Redyke)
Art Festival participants check in under the pavilion at Maple Grange Park (Photo by Janet Redyke)
Kelly Brooks’ golden retriever, Benny, enjoys some cool refreshment during the art festival (Photo by Janet Redyke)
Creativity ruled on Saturday, as the Vernon Board of Recreation sponsored the third annual Summer in the Mountains Art Festival at Maple Grange Park.
Revamped somewhat to remain safe, the outdoor festival encouraged all age groups to create sidewalk art with multi-colored chalk.
Budding artists worked their magic on socially distant sections of Maple Grange’s walking paths from 10 a.m. to noon, after which judging took place.
Arts and crafts goody packs and winning ribbons were rewarded to winners in each age group, said Kelly Brooks, a recreation board member.
Brooks said 90 percent of Vernon’s recreation activities were canceled because of the pandemic, making the art festival, offered free of charge to all participants, an especially fun and welcome weekend venture.
Artist Zoe concentrated on drawing a perfect rainbow. The Van Blarcom family artists checked their phones to design and perfect their masterpieces. Three generations of the Lasorsa family worked together on their art projects.
The heat and humidity didn’t seem to bother the dedicated artists, who enjoyed chilled bottles of water and ice pops.
Brooks said the recreation board’s fall guided hikes, co-sponsored by PAL, might resume. She suggested checking the Vernon Township website (vernontwp.com) or its Facebook page.