By Holly Bedard
Editor

Artist Ann Marie Swierz, a member of the Manchester Artists Association, demonstrates at the Art in the Park event in 2005. (Courtesy Photo/Keith Spiro)

Do you have a bel esprit?

If you have a creative and clear mind you do.

And if you’re looking for something to do on Sept. 9 and 10, Manchester’s newest cultural event may be just the thing. Events run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

Bel Esprit unites the Mill City Festival and Art in the Park, creating one massive free event to take place throughout the weekend. In addition, the Mill City Festival will move from Arms Park to Victory Park, bringing the two events closer together and closer to the downtown area.

This new celebration may be just the arts injection the downtown needs.

“We are doing this to promote the arts and the downtown merchants,” said Jane Beaulieu, director of the Mill City Festival.

Bringing the two events together was easier said than done, though. Beaulieu, along with Diane De Bonville, director of Art in the Park, have worked together to make this new event a success.

With more people and arts groups signing up every day, it’s not an easy task.

The payoff, though, will be an event that not only combines the Mill City Festival and Art in the Park, but also encompasses many other local groups and establishments. A trolley will be available on Saturday to take festivalgoers to the many sites where activities will take place.

Mill City Festival

If you are interested in New Hampshire-made fine crafts, the Mill City Festival should be a stop on your list. The New England Sampler, a Hanover Street store featuring mostly New Hampshire-made items, will also set up a table, offering tastings and a raffle.

Beaulieu said there are also a variety of events for the whole family.

“We try to gear a lot toward kids,” she said. “I love to see families getting out and being together.”

One activity Beaulieu is hoping to see good participation in is the wagon parade. Parents and kids get together to decorate wagons and then display them in the parade. Awards will be given to the most creative entries. Regal Cinemas has donated prizes for the winners.

Other family-oriented events include tie-dying, storytime and a coloring contest for kids.

One group Beaulieu said she hopes everyone gets to see is Extreme Air of New Hampshire, the only jump rope team representing the state in national competition.

Making people more aware and getting them interested in the arts has always been an important mission for Beaulieu.

“There’s a lot of opportunity here,” she said. “I was born and raised here. I see the direction the city is going in, and I can certainly help make Manchester a better place.”

Art in the Park

More than 50 artists will take part in the juried Manchester Artists Association’s Art in the Park competition, which will be held in Veterans Park.

On Saturday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m., there will be an awards ceremony where winners will be announced in six different categories, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, mixed media and photography.

Director De Bonville said each Art in the Park event is a chance for the MAA artists to get their work seen.

“The more people see them, the more they appreciate, and the more people are buying art,” she said.

De Bonville said many of the artists will demonstrate their talents during the festival. In addition, there will be a raffle for an original work of art.

Veterans Park will also feature music by Teen Challenge on Saturday and the Manchester Community Music School on Sunday.