Muncie's newest park and entertainment facility, where the community can enjoy live entertainment, will be featured at this year's ArtsWalk.
Although Canan Commons had been opened when construction ended last year, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership Director Cheryl Crowder said this opening ceremony is more of a formal event.
"It won't be your typical ribbon cutting, we wanted it to be something really special and recognize everyone who contributed to it," Crowder said.
Starting at 5 p.m. and ending around 9 p.m., the ArtsWalk also will feature street performances, dinner and drink specials at area restaurants, a soup crawl, community information regarding arts and culture, artisan booths and more.
"The ArtsWalk is a lot different than the usual First Thursday Art Walks," said Bob Hartley, a seven-year veteran of the ArtsWalk and owner of The Artist Within, a local art gallery. "I like to think of it as First Thursday on steroids."
Crowder said Canan Commons has been home to various live concerts and events throughout its debut year and she hopes to open the venue up to more outside event promoters.
"The future looks bright," Crowder said.
Live entertainment will include ensembles from Ball State, America's Hometown Band, as well as performances from Muncie Ballet Studio, Cornerstone Center for the Arts and more.
A yard sale for art, or "YART sale," will take place featuring local works of art for less than $40 as well as a play area for children.
Local art galleries also will roll out new exhibits.
Crowder said she estimates that, in it's 11th year, the free event will draw around 1,000 people throughout the night.
The First Thursday Art Walks began in 2000 and occurs on the first Thursday of every month with the month of October being the main ArtsWalk of the year.
Hartley said he hopes more Ball State students will leave campus to come enjoy local art, food and entertainment.
"Brave it up, cross the river; it's okay," Hartley said. "Come downtown, there's more to Muncie than McGalliard."
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