VANCOUVER — Clark County will host the 12th annual Recycled Arts Festival, presented this year by McCord’s Vancouver Toyota, in Esther Short Park late this month. The popular two-day event showcases artwork made of recycled materials.
The free festival takes place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., June 24, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun., June 25. Attendees who show their reusable mugs or water bottles at the Information Tent will be entered in a special drawing.
Clark County will host the 12th annual Recycled Arts Festival in Esther Short Park Sat., June 24 and Sun., June 25. The popular two-day event showcases artwork made of recycled materials. Video courtesy of RecycledArtsFestival.com
More than 150 artists will sell items such as metal and glass garden art, sculptures, mosaics, jewelry, clothing, furniture, birdfeeders and wall art made of at least 70 percent recycled material.
The family friendly festival also will include:
-
This creation by Tom Schell, titled “Big Oily,’’ won third prize at a recent Recycled Arts Festival. Photo courtesy of RecycledArtsFestival.com Music on the stage, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday
- Art ala Carte will have recycled materials children can use to create art
- A sculpture garden displaying large pieces of recycled art
- Free tours of downtown on Couve Cycle, a multi-passenger, pedal powered party cycle (until 1 pm each day)
- Robot demonstrations by high school robotics teams
- Food carts
“The Recycled Arts Festival celebrates creativity while promoting environmental sustainability,” said Sally Fisher, environmental outreach specialist. “I’m always amazed at the novel ways these artists turn trash into art.”
Procession of the Species
New this year is the Procession of the Species, a parade that celebrates the natural world through art. Three free costume workshops will help participants create masks and costumes to represent animal species or elements such as fire, earth or water. Repurposed/salvaged materials will be supplied, and people are welcome to bring their own materials.
Costume workshops are scheduled for:
- 2-4 p.m., Sun., June 11, North Bank Community Art Studio, 1005 Main St.
- 2-4 p.m., Sun., June 18, North Bank Community Art Studio, 1005 Main St.
- 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat., June 24, Recycled Arts Festival Children’s Booth, Esther Short Park
Register for a workshop at https://clarkgreenneighbors.org/pots. The procession will be 10 a.m. Sun., June 25; registration will be 9:30 a.m. The free parade is open to people of any age.
Parking, shuttle bus
Also new this year is free parking in the garage at 14th and Franklin streets, about a 10-minute walk from the festival. A shuttle bus will run regularly between the gazebo in the plaza at 13th and Franklin streets and the north side of Esther Short Park, providing a good option for people carrying purchases. Heavier items can be left at a secure loading area at the northeast corner of the park and picked up later.
Additional information
For more information about the Recycled Arts Festival, visit RecycledArtsFestival.com.
The Recycled Arts Festival emphasizes the importance of reducing and reusing discarded materials. Organized by Clark County, the festival is an official event of the Portland Rose Festival.
The Washington Festival and Events Association recently recognized the event with the Community Impact and Grand Summit awards for benefiting the community and being the best overall event in Washington.
Tips for staying cool
With weekend temperatures forecasted to reach the upper 90s, Recycled Arts Festival organizers are offering these tips for beating the heat while enjoying the festival:
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
- Wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses; apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
- Keep your water bottle filled and drink from it often. Ice water will be provided.
- Consider leaving your pets at home, but water for dogs also will be provided.
- Enjoy the shade. Esther Short Park is usually pleasant under the trees; extra chairs will be provided in the shade.
- Wade in the fountain at the southeast corner of the park. All ages welcome.
“We want people to have a great time, and we want them to be safe,” said Sally Fisher, festival coordinator. “By taking some simple precautions against the heat, people can enjoy themselves and safely celebrate recycled art and sustainability.”
Additional tips for preventing heat-related problems:
- Limit intake of drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar.
- Never leave anyone, especially young children, in a parked vehicle. Leave pets at home. Even with windows rolled down, temperatures can rise rapidly in parked vehicles.
- Seek relief in an air-conditioned location, if possible. If your home is not air-conditioned, go to the mall, a movie or the library for a few hours to cool down.
- Cool off by taking a shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place. Fans provide comfort, but will not prevent heat-related illness.
- Cut down on exercise, especially in the middle of the day.
Heat related illnesses
Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs include: body temperature above 103° F; red, hot and dry skin but no sweating; rapid pulse; throbbing headache; nausea; dizziness; and confusion.
If you see any of these signs, call for immediate medical assistance. Place the person in a tub of cool water or cool shower, or spray the person with cool water from a garden hose. Do not give the person anything to drink.
Less severe heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion and muscle cramps. Signs are heavy sweating, paleness, weakness, headache and vomiting. Drink nonalcoholic, cool beverages. Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or last more than an hour.
For more information on heat safety, see https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html.
For information on cooling centers in Clark County, see http://cresa911.org/2017/06/22/summer-solstice-scorcher/.
Shuttle bus offered to free parking
This year’s Recycled Arts Festival features a new parking option: free parking in the county garage at 14th and Franklin streets, about a 10-minute walk from the festival.
A free shuttle bus will run regularly between the gazebo in the plaza at 13th and Franklin streets and the north side of Esther Short Park, providing added convenience for people carrying purchases.
“While driving might be the most practical way to get to the festival if you’re planning to purchase art, in the spirit of sustainability we encourage people to consider transportation alternatives such as carpooling, taking the bus, riding a bike or walking,” said Sally Fisher, festival coordinator.
Attendees who show their reusable mugs or water bottles at the Information Tent will be entered in a special drawing.
Information provided by Clark County Communications.
