歪歪漫画

BEMIDJI 鈥� The show must go on.

After a short period of uncertainty following the June 21 storm that ravaged Bemidji, the 57th Watermark Art Festival is ready to roll. The only difference is it will be a bit less shady for this year鈥檚 visitors to Library Park.

鈥淢y anxiety was at a level 10-plus,鈥� said Lori Forshee-Donnay, executive director of the Watermark Art Center. 鈥淏ut I was in good company because I think everyone in the community was feeling like that. I knew the park was going to be something I needed to worry about, but immediately (after the storm) we were trying to help our neighbors and friends.鈥�

Turns out that worry was rather short-lived, as Bemidji city workers cleared Library Park of fallen trees and debris. Forshee-Donnay credits Parks and Recreation Director Marcia Larson and the city crew for their response.

鈥淢arcia and the parks crew jumped right on it,鈥� Forshee-Donnay said. 鈥淪ummer vacation doesn't stop for our visitors, and we want the park to get back to being in a park again for people. It's a heavily used space.鈥�

The Watermark Art Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. About 75 artists will be set up in Library Park, and food vendors will be in Watermark's parking lot.

Live music will be provided both days on two stages, one in the park and one next to the food vendors. Artist demonstrations also are planned.

鈥淎 lot of artists and visitors are coming to town,鈥� Forshee-Donnay said. 鈥淭his is how the artists make their living, so we want to keep that moving in the face of all of this, and just try to get back to something that people can enjoy.鈥�

Forshee-Donnay said she has been heartened by the support of event sponsors and community members in the aftermath of the storm.

鈥淎ll of our sponsors are on board, and I've gotten calls and emails from people asking if there is anything we need,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey really want to see this happen. It could have been so much worse. I can't believe no one lost their life in this. I've never seen anything like it, and it gives me a new perspective to know what can happen with nature.鈥�