Posted Aug 4, 2022 at 2:57pm MDT
The 53rd Annual Kimball Arts Festival opens at 5pm for the Free Locals Night. on Friday. Organizers, vendors and performers are ready to deal with rain, flooding, lightning and wind.
ABC Forecast Center weather forecaster Nate Larson said the weekend would not be a flop. He forecast showers on Friday and Saturday, with clearing on Sunday.
“We’re going to see increasing humidity in the Park City area,” Larson said. “So another surge in humidity is expected, some monsoon flow. And then we see humidity persisting overnight with periods of rain and thunderstorms on Friday and even into the weekend, a sort of active pattern settling in as southwest flow will persist.”
Daily temperatures on Friday are forecast to be in the high 70s. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 60s on Saturday, with showers moving from the area on Saturday night. Clearing is expected by Sunday with temperatures in the 70s.
Arts festival director Hillary Gilson said anyone involved with organizing or attending major outdoor events knows what to expect.
She said the monsoon rain patterns heading towards the event were not a cause for concern.
“When moisture gets in, it’s something that goes away quickly,” Gilson said. “But the festival is rain or shine. So that includes all of our artists. It also includes our concession areas, the stages. Of course, safety is our top priority. So if there’s anything that puts any of our performers, performers or food vendors at risk, say, you know, extremely high winds, the risk of flooding or a thunderstorm, then we reserve the right to close the festival. “
The gates open at 5 p.m. Friday, and all locals and second home owners must pre-register online and bring proof of residence to gain free entry. Non-locals can also come on Friday nights but need to purchase $10.00 tickets. Rain jackets are recommended.
