The 30th Annual Art on the Kinni in River Falls landed on Saturday, Sept. 12. It was a perfect day for vendors and art shoppers alike. The 79 artists and crafters began pitching their tents at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon and opened at 10 a.m. Saturday to an art-eager crowd. By 5 p.m. nearly 5,000 people had found their way through Heritage Park and down the White Pathway located along the Kinni between Maple and Falls streets.

The assortment of artists for this juried art show was phenomenal. Three booths were chosen for prizes by the sponsor, Community Art’s Base: Connor Isenberg Ceramics (first place), Joel Pang (second place) and Rasmussen Glass (third place). So many remarkable artists with so many different types of art made judging challenging.

The show included oil, acrylic, and watercolor painters, photographers, weavers, stitchers, quilters, knitters and crocheters, woodworkers, potters, metal sculpturers, leather artists, stained glass artists, and jewelry makers. The impressive glassblowing in this art fair reminds us that UWRF is turning out some rare talent. Don’t miss the University Artists at Art’s house in October.

A craft village at the north end of the art fair included crafters like Lazy Goat Studio, Mio Soaps, Mittens, and the Wonder Works Theater with activities for kids.

Musical performances were provided by Keauna Shae, Justin Barts with Toby Marshall, Chris Snyder, Nici Peper, Kyle Fosburgh, Rudy Rudesill, Jule Patchouli, Jim Ehlers, and Bill Gnatzig.

Art on the Kinni provided a pleasant art lined walk along the Kinni and a great place to shop and visit with friends or family. Many helpful volunteers manned the entrances welcoming visitors and helping artists with breaks. Lastly, of course there were buckthorn-eating goats who were there to keep the day interesting.