Arts in the Park, Dr. Lucky’s block party special event permits receive council’s approval

MITCHELL — After a 17-year hiatus, Mitchell will play host to Arts in the Park in July.

The Mitchell City Council unanimously approved a special event permit on Monday that paved the way for Arts in the Park to be held on July 26-28 at Hitchcock Park.

“We now have 40 vendors who have already submitted applications. We’re looking to have over 100 art vendors,” said Jordan Hanson, who helped organize the event.

The event will bring artists from around the region to showcase their work and offer demonstrations.

For decades, Mitchell hosted Arts in the Park at Hitchcock Park. The event ended in 2007 after the death of a longtime organizer. Hanson said the three-day event was averaging total attendance numbers of around 9,000.

Nancy Conzemius played an instrumental role in past Arts in the Park, and she set out to revive it with the help of Hanson.

According to the map, the art vendors would be positioned along the road that stretches through the center of the park. The Hitchcock Park bandshell would serve as the music stage. A car show and kids events are also planned to be located along the north edge of the park.

Dr. Lucky’s Bar will be hosting a block party along Second Avenue on May 25.

The council approved the special event permit on Monday to allow the block party event.

Live music and food vendors are among the features of the block party.

Sam Fosness joined the Mitchell Republic in May 2018. He was raised in Mitchell, S.D., and graduated from Mitchell High School. He continued his education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, where he graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in English. During his time in college, Fosness worked as a news and sports reporter for The Volante newspaper.