Submitted Photo Daniel Starks with Kaylee Capp and Jonathan Starks, from left to right, kicked off Arts In The City with a performance in Oak Park on Sunday. Photo by Tracy Godejohn.

At Oak Park on Sunday, Arts In The City kicked off its 40th anniversary with a free concert performed by Daniel Starks, Kaylee Capp and Jonathan Starks. More than 140 members of the community came out to support the kick-off event.

This summer, the Minot Area Council of the Arts’ free concert and art series runs from June 1-Aug. 21, with shows on Sunday evenings at Oak Park in June and July and select Thursday nights in downtown Minot.

Set in Oak Park, Sundays in the Park offers a more laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere featuring local and regional acts. Performances are held at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., inviting the community to relax, bring a chair or blanket and enjoy.

Held in the heart of Minot, Thursdays Downtown transforms downtown spaces into hubs of live music, local food trucks, artisan vendors and community spirit. With two performers each evening, the music kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and continues into the night.

Thursdays Downtown will be on First Avenue Southeast and Second Street Southeast near the Blue Rider on June 12 and 26. The final Arts in the City on Main Street will be held on June 19. Later in the summer, Thursdays Downtown will transition to the new Citizens Alley once construction is complete.

“Citizens Alley will keep parking open downtown, encouraging foot traffic on Main Street and getting more businesses and members of the community to participate in events,” said Tonia Vitko, co-executive director of the Minot Area Council of the Arts. “Citizens Alley will have more room for activities that the whole family can participate in and create an atmosphere people will love.”

“We want to get more and more of the community involved,” said Myles Barcomb, co-executive director of the Minot Area Council of the Arts. “All local artists and businesses are welcome to participate.”

The 2024 Arts In The City drew 6,500 attendees, featured 232 artists and musicians and offered 26 free public concerts, according to the council’s statistics.

With the growth of Arts In The City, Minot Area Council of the Arts is looking for more local vendors to help participate in any way they can. Information on how vendors can get involved is found on the Minot Area Council of the Arts website.