Andrea Johnson/MDN Justin Anderson is executive director of the Minot Area Council of the Arts.

Changes are ahead this summer for Minot Area Council of the Arts events, but they should be just as much fun.

Arts in the Park is going to become Arts in the City, said Justin Anderson, executive director.

Sunday concerts will continue to be held in Oak Park, as they had traditionally been, from June 3 to Aug. 5, but other programming will be held on Thursday evenings in downtown Minot in conjunction with Creative Night Out, the Downtown Business Professional Association, and the Putt District.

The Thursday night events will feature music and featured artists sponsored by MACA. Creative Night Out will sponsor various artists, art and craft vendors, and the Putt District will sponsor bouncy castles and food trucks. Anderson said he believes there will be no price for admission for the arts events, though there might be wrist bands needed for the bouncy houses.

The changes were prompted because the Minot Park District cut funding for the Arts in the Parks program, which required MACA to look at other ways it could offer programming.

Joining forces with the other organizations should help add life and vibrancy to downtown and also offer a boost to downtown Minot businesses that had been struggling, said Anderson. He hopes some downtown businesses will decide to stay open longer and give people a chance to shop in their stores.

One exception will be on Thursday, July 22, when the Minot City Band will hold its popular John Philip Sousa concert at Oak Park.

There will still be events held in downtown Minot on July 22 as well, said Anderson, as well as some music.

Performers and vendors at the downtown events will include people who have been popular in the past.

Anderson said events benefit because they can be held outdoors and there is not as great a risk of transmitting COVID-19.

Last year he popped popcorn in his office and took the popcorn in sealed bags to concerts in the park because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions. He is not sure whether that will continue to be necessary.

Anderson said other plans for art events are also in the early planning stage.