By SALINA POST
There's a party goin' on right here in downtown Salina Saturday!
The festivities kick off with the UNwrap Party for the 12th annual SculptureTour Salina exhibit. The 22 sculptures created by artists from around the country will be simultaneously unwrapped at precisely 11 a.m. throughout the downtown area.
“We are very excited about the 2022 exhibit,” said Sylvia Rice, committee member of SculptureTour Salina. “The SculptureTour Salina 2022 exhibit is quite diverse, consisting of 22 sculptures from 19 different artists traveling in from seven different states. This year we welcome several new artists, which is a great success!”
According to SculptureTour Salina, the UNwrap Party is guaranteed free fun for the whole family.
Once the sculptures are unwrapped, partygoers are encouraged to check them out and vote for their favorite one. Pick up Walking Tour/Ballots at the silver boxes at the mid-block pedestrian crossings, many of the downtown merchants or at the Visit Salina Info trailer located in 67401 Plaza on the southwest corner of Santa Fe and Ash.
Each year, the People’s Choice Award is determined by members of the public who complete and submit a ballot by the end of December. The winning sculpture is purchased by the City of Salina and put in a permanent location for all to enjoy.
In addition to the new sculptures being unwrapped, the awards for the 2021 SculptureTour Salina exhibit will be announced at 1 p.m. on the new stage at the 67401 Plaza.
But wait! The fun doesn't stop there! Salina Downtown, Inc., and Vortex Global are hosting a Spring Spritzer that will include food, drink, entertainment, and fun at the new stage in the 67401 Plaza. Admission is free.
Please bring your lawn chairs so you can hang out at jam at the new stage. Please do not, however, bring coolers or pets to the event.
The Food by Bonnie food truck will open at 11 a.m. and will be serving lemonade spritzers, gourmet grilled cheeses, and more!
Color Me Crazy face painting will be on hand to paint children's faces.
Additionally, beer, hard seltzer, non-alcoholic seltzer, and water will be for sale during the event.
The Tamara Howe School of Dance is scheduled to perform at 2 p.m.
Shannon's Stars will help Salina Downtown celebrate The Cozy Inn's 100th birthday.
Then get ready for some Whiskey Barrell Rock as Salina's own Sunset Sinners take the stage at 3 p.m.
"Salina Downtown Inc has been working hard to increase the programming downtown. We had a goal to get live entertainment downtown that our community can enjoy free!" Leslie Bishop, executive director of Salina Downtown, Inc., told Salina Post.
"This weekend, May 6-7, is the kickoff to a wonderful 'event season' in downtown Salina," she continued. "Downtown is the heartbeat of arts and entertainment and we want to bring our community together to enjoy everything downtown Salina has to offer – local shopping, dining and live entertainment….and the best part, it will only get better and more exciting!"