The Uptown Art Fair is taking place this weekend, but it will be held in a different location than normal. This year's fair is being held in the Bachman's Parking lot on Lyndale Ave. in south Minneapolis.
The fair is celebrating its 60th year, but Director Jill Osiecki says a proper celebration of that milestone might have to wait until the event comes back to Uptown.
"Might be something we decide we're going to celebrate in a different way, you know, this winter or next summer," Osiecki explains. "I just think that it's great that it's 60 years. We're just happy that the event is able to happen at this point."
She says this years the event had to do some downsizing due to the change in venue, and the event that usually features artists from all over the country had to prioritize inviting back only locals artists only for this years festivities.
Osiecki says the festival was close to being cancelled and the relocation, due to major construction on Hennepin Ave, came with the hard decisions.
"Yeah, it was tough because most of these artists schedule their art fairs year round," she said. "They apply very early to most of these big shows like ours and they keep these weekends on hold, hoping that they can get in. We knew we could only take 150 artists.
This year's Uptown Art Fair runs Saturday, August 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, August 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
DETAILS
• A variety of food and beverage options from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Pimento Jamaican Chicken, Cafe Cairo, Habanero Taco
• Complimentary shuttle from designated parking lot
Limited Bachman’s customer parking will be open, including handicap accessible spaces, garden center lot, and south lot
Street parking on Lyndale Ave S and in Kenny and Windom neighborhoods
United Methodist Church (5835 Lyndale Ave. S.) will be offering parking in exchange for a $10 donation
FREE SHUTTLE (every 20 minutes): Between Bachman’s and Woodlake Parking Ramp (6601 Lyndale Ave. S.) and Hub Parking Lot (36 West 66th St.)