Park Art by the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery is a perfect Canada Day

If you and your family are looking for a place and time to spend Canada Day near Moose Jaw this summer, look no further than Park Art, one of Saskatchewan’s premier arts and crafts fairs, held annually in beautiful Crescent Park every July 1. Park Art is the year’s biggest fundraiser for programming at the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery (MJMAG), one of the cultural jewels of the Notorious City. The arts and crafts fair transforms the area of Crescent Park immediately in front of the MJMAG and Moose Jaw Public Library into an outdoor gallery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 1 to display and sell goods by artists and artisans from across the province and often even further.

In 2023, the MJMAG’s curator Jennifer McRorie and her staff hope to see the number of Park Art vendors return to pre-pandemic levels — at that time, there were around 80 vendors every year, providing the event with an extraordinary variety of paintings, sculptures, pottery, woodworking, photography, knives and other metalware, baked goods and sweets, toys, and more.

The vendor registration period closes June 2. Interested vendors can register at mjmag.ca/parkartregistration. All works must be original and created by the applicant to be considered for inclusion. The energy and enthusiasm of the event draws hundreds upon hundreds of attendees every year, typically kitted out in red and white, with Canadian flags and maple leaves to help celebrate Canada’s birthday.

Visitors to Park Art can have the satisfaction of knowing they are supporting the essential cultural service the museum and art gallery offer, as well as the artists and artisans who have put so much work into mastering their craft.

Because the event is on a Saturday in 2023, the same day as the weekly Langdon Crescent Home- grown Farmer’s Market, McRorie said the MJMAG and farmer’s market organizers have decided to team up. The Homegrown market will move into the park for the day, giving families even more options for produce, handmade goods, and delicious foods and beverages.

The market will keep its normal hours of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Children’s activities at Park Art will be held inside in the MJMAG education room, including handson crafts, games, and other engaging family projects. Outside, there are usually vendors doing face painting and marketing toys. Some artists even offer interactive workshops where kids can learn to make their own masterpieces. Families can also participate in a scavenger hunt all through the fair and enter a completed scavenger hunt form into a prize draw.

Admission to Park Art is $5, and all are welcome to attend. There will be buskers providing live music, a BBQ concession by a local service club, and possibly even some food trucks parked nearby. The event could not happen without the help of a small army of volunteers, who are rewarded with free attendance, a snack and beverage table, and a volunteer luncheon. Volunteers help organize Park Art from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day, with each shift lasting two hours, so be sure to thank them for their efforts if you enjoy the fair — or even join them if you love Park Art!

Volunteer roles include setup and take-down, admissions, the Penny Parade, the Peggy Table, and volunteer/vendor support. If you’re interested in being part of things, register at mjmag.ca/parkartvolunteers