Boyne City celebrates SOBO and the arts with June 26-27 Festival

The Arts will be celebrated in Boyne City with the 6th annual SOBO Arts Festival on June 26 and 27. Located in historic and vibrant Boyne City, the juried festival provides high quality cultural experiences for festival patrons and attracts artists from all over the region representing all fine arts. 
The festival kicks off on Friday, June 26, with “Stroll the Streets” from 6-9 pm, showcasing musical performances, family and children’s activities, culminating with an outdoor concert featuring the Bay Area Big Band playing in the heart of SOBO. This performance is supported by a grant from The Charlevoix County Community Foundation. The 17-member band builds on a proud tradition of such historical names as Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Count Basie and Glenn Miller and creates an unforgettable musical experience. It promises to be a great evening for dancing in the streets. There will be beverage tastings at Lake Street Market and a poster signing by local artist Julie Stratton, creator of the 2015 festival poster. The original framed 8 x 10 painting will be raffled off with the winner announced at 9 pm. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at Cindi Franco’s Cool Stuff, Freshwater Gallery, Smitten Designs Studio, Boyne Arts Collective and Country Now and Then until 8:45 pm Friday, June 26. Kids of all ages will be able to create a pottery bowl for “Empty Bowls,” benefiting the Manna Food Project.
On Saturday, June 27, activities move to nearby Veterans Park on the shore of Lake Charlevoix. The festival, adjacent to the Boyne City Farmers Market, will run from 10 – 4 pm, when patrons can enjoy local bounty, and local and regional talent. The Gypsy Artists’ Caravan will have its “maiden voyage” this year - bringing a mobile studio and entertainment stage featuring student visual and performing artists working, displaying, performing and selling their work.
A new addition to this year’s event is the En Plein Air Paint-Out. This competition runs from 8 am – 3 pm and is designed to connect art and people to their surroundings. Local and regional artists, as well as students, will be inspired by the beauty of historic Boyne City and pristine Lake Charlevoix. These paintings will be for sale at a reception and exhibition at 4 pm at Northern Table in the SOBO Arts District of Boyne City.
The Festival will also feature the local culinary arts with food trucks from The Landing, Boyne Valley Lions, and Luckey's Coney Island, along with other outstanding food vendors. 
Festival organizer Becky Harris noted that “All festival activities are free of charge to our patrons, thanks to the support of our local sponsors, Pat O’Brien & Associates Real Estate, Café Sante, Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, State Farm, EYES on Main Street, and Progressive Dental, as well as a generous grant from The Charlevoix County Community Foundation for the Bay Area Big Band. We are so fortunate to have the support of our community.” 
The Charlevoix County Community Foundation is a local charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Charlevoix County by building permanent endowment, addressing needs through grant-making, and providing leadership resources to serve the community. More information about The Charlevoix County Community Foundation may be found at www.c3f.org or by calling 231.536.2440.
For more information on the SOBO Arts Festival, visit www.soboartsfestival.com, or call the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce at 231.582.6222 or Boyne City Main Street at 231.582.9009.