olalla’s first Arts and Music Festival last weekend didn’t attract huge crowds, but organizers are hopeful that the event will grow into something larger in the years to come.
“Of course we would have liked more patronage from the community, but it’s definitely something we will do again,” said Kristy Wheeler, co-owner of Like That Productions, the event planning company that put on the festival.
Wheeler said she talked with several of the artists who participated and plans to hold a roundtable soon so they can all brainstorm ideas to improve and grow the festival.
For the event, the city shut down a portion of Ross Street and artists set up booths in the parking lot behind the police station. A stage was set up at the parking lot across the street and bands ranging from the local favorite Unsung Symphony from Molalla to the Piedmont Boys from South Carolina played throughout the weekend.
“I think it went great. I think for a first-time festival of that magnitude that the attendance was good,” City Recorder Sadie Cramer said. “I still think that there needs to be more community support.”
She said they may consider other dates in the summer season for next year’s festival and will coordinate it with the installation of a new downtown mural.
“I think as we add to the overall event, it will be more and more of a success,” Cramer said.
Artists from Estacada’s Spiral Gallery were among the vendors at last weekend’s festival. Estacada holds its own annual summer arts festival, which has grown steadily over the years. Although foot traffic was slow as she sat in the sun by her booth on Saturday afternoon, Estacada artist Suzanne Dinsdale said she will encourage Molalla festival organizers not to give up.
“In about five years, this will be hopping,” Dinsdale said. “I think eventually you’ll end up with a nice arts festival.”
A portion of the festivals proceeds will go toward the city’s mural fund, but as of Monday, Wheeler said she did not know the amount. Several artists also donated pieces of their work, so there will likely be an auction fundraiser for the mural program in the near future.
Bidding for this year’s mural project closed on June 30 and the arts commission will soon be selecting an artist. Applications are still being accepted for arts commission members.
This year’s mural is scheduled to be unveiled during the Apple Festival this fall. So far, Molalla has about $8,000 in its murals fund, including the $5,000 Clackamas County Tourism grant, Cramer said. They are still waiting to hear back on a second grant application.
