Sunday in the Park with Art set for May 6

Netul Trail becomes a stage and gallery, Sunday, May 6, at 1 p.m.

“Something’s coming, I don’t know what, but it’s gonna be grand!” This is how organizer Marco Davis feels each time he begins to plan the collaboration of art, dance and music known as “Sunday in the Park with Art” (SPA), a hike/art experience at Fort Clatsop within the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. This season, SPA takes the form of a play with two “acts” along the Netul River Trail, a two mile round trip stroll. Act I will begin at 1 p.m., at the Netul Landing north shelter. Music, dance and art installations will entice the walking audience northward along the trail to the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center picnic area. Participants will then enjoy an interactive intermission and ready themselves for Act II and the walk southward back to the Netul River parking lot, starting at 2:30. A different experience of music and dance will greet the audience during this time period, as new performers will take the place of the artists from Act I.

Those who have attended previous events will notice the ease of traveling along the art/hike this year, the third installation of this event. The smooth and flat river trail is a departure from the longer curvy, rocky and sometimes steep Kwis Kwis trail on the west side of Fort Clatsop Road. The organizers are excited that this year, the artists and hikers will experience the ecology of the river and the riparian zone, which provides a home to thousands of plants and animals and plays a critical role between upland areas of Fort Clatop and open water. Marco says, “Ready yourselves to be taken over by the incredible talent in our area; these artists bring their expression and share it with us as we connect to the earth and the elements and their art and each other.”

Sunday in the Park with Art happens rain or shine and is an all ages, family friendly event. Arrive dressed for the elements and feel free to add flair. Arrive early to first purchase a pass at the Visitor Center, $5.00 for age 16 and older, free for under 16. For more information, call the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center: 503-861-2471 or keep up to date on the Sunday in the Park with Art Facebook page.