The annual Helper Arts, Music and Film Festival is going to be in full swing on Helper’s historic Main Street beginning Thursday, August 17 and running till Sunday, August 20. The 20-year festival has been able to expose and promote working artists both in arts, music and film.

On Thursday evening beginning at 6:00 pm there will be the Car Show Cruise on First West and Main Street. Guests can take a gallery stroll along Main Street to check out local artists inside the galleries. The Price City Culture Connection will bring their usual Thursday evening entertainment to Helper for the festival and will feature Los Hermanos De Los Andes performing at the Main Stage. Dessert Wine along with Best Young Chef, Lyn Wells will be serving award winning desserts in the galleries and Western Mining and Railroad Museum.

Friday will begin at 12:00 pm with vendors set up on main street and free film showings held throughout the day inside the Rio Theatre beginning at 1:00 pm for the public to enjoy. A film first presented last year with local ties to our area will return again this year, The Bo Huff: A Documentary of his Life will show at 9:00 pm. Bo Huff was known to be a legendary custom car painter and fabricator from Dragerton. He passed away two years ago after a five year battle of cancer.

The musical line up for Friday starts at 3:00 pm on the main stage with acts like Andrew Lasslo Band, Sammy Horner, The Deltaz and closing out the night is Natural Causes. Also going on that evening is the annual Car Show Burnout at 6:00 pm at the Helper City Park.

The Utah Power Credit Union Kids Art Yard will be held on Friday at 2:00 pm till 6:00 pm, Saturday at 11:00 am till 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There will be lots of fun, hands-on activities for the kids to enjoy on both days.

The local Clampers will host their annual breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday morning at the pavilion, the cost is $7.00 per plate and proceeds will help fund local historical plaques.

Saturday kicks off bright and early at The Pavilion on 100 West for the 5K Run/Walk, a silent art auction will be held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Western Mining and Railroad Museum. Free film screenings will continue inside The Rio Theater beginning at 12:00 pm.

Registration for the car show will begin at 8:00 am till 10:00 am, with the awards presentation schedule at 3:00 pm.

Live entertainment will begin at 12:00 pm on the main stage with Brother Chunky, followed by Sha-la at 2:00 pm, Oskar and Julia will wow the crowd at 3:00 pm, returning to the festival is Advent Horizon at 4:00 pm, the band Trouble Train will follow and closing the night out is Chili Sauce.

A few new additions have been made to the festival this year, local gal Malarie Matsuda with host a Labyrinth walking Meditation workshop with a suggested donation of $11.00 to benefit the Helper Revitalization project. The Carbon County School District along with students will host a film workshop at the Conoco Gas Station. Bad Shakespeare will be held throughout the day between the bowling alley and Marsha’s. A dance concert by the Spiral Dance Company will be presented at 5:00 pm in remembrance of Melissa Anast who was a big part of the festival every year.

Sunday visitors can enjoy Yoga in the city park with Jessica Teny at 9:00 am. The annual flamboyant flamingo float will start at the hanging bridge and finish at the sand bar. Awards for the featured films presented all weekend will be awarded at 10:30 am. Live entertainment will begin at 11:00 with The Deltaz and finish with a local favorite, The Jeff Keele Band at 1:30 pm.

To see a complete schedule of the festival, CLICK HERE

PHOTO COURTESY OF HELPER ARTS FESTIVAL FACEBOOK PAGE