LEWISTON, Idaho – A Gatsby Gala and a Lewiston Civic Theater stage reading of “12 Angry Men by 12 Impassioned Women” are among the new events this year at the 35th annual Dogwood Festival of the Lewis-Clark Valley.
The Dogwood Festival, which runs throughout April, celebrates arts, culture and the community through various events. The festival attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year and is coordinated through the work of community volunteers, and administered by the offices of Continuing Education & Community Events at Lewis-Clark State College.
The festival features its usual events again this year, including Art Under the Elms, Confluence Grape & Grain, the Seaport River Run, the Dogwood Show & Shine, the Seaport Quilters Quilt Show, the Steven Lyman Memorial Children’s and Regional Art Exhibit, and the Lewiston Spring Cluster All Breed Dog Show.
Dogwood T-shirts, designed by Lewiston artist, Jaymee Laws, are now on sale and are $16 apiece. The shirt can also be purchased in person at the Dogwood Festival Office, located at 415 Main St. in Lewiston.
A Dogwood Festival raffle also is being held. Tickets can be purchased for $1 each or 6 for $5 through April 28 for a chance to win Dogwood Festival artwork by Laws or the Dogwood Festival T-shirt Quilt donated by Revolution Trucking. The winner will be drawn on April 29. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Dogwood Festival Office through April 28.
Honorary chairs for this year’s festival are Bruce and Joy Finch of Happy Day Restaurants. Dogwood Festival sponsors include the Lewiston Tribune, Perfection Traffic Control, and Avista Utilities. Media sponsors include the Lewiston Tribune, Inland 360, IdaVend Broadcasting, and Nelly Broadcasting,
Here is a breakdown of the Dogwood Festival events with dates.
April 2-April 27
Stephen Lyman Memorial Children’s and Regional Student Art Exhibit: The Stephen Lyman Memorial Children’s Art Exhibit, an annual exhibit of selected Dogwood themed artwork from area K-6 grade students, will be held at the LCSC Center for Arts & History, located at 415 Main St., with artist reception on April 11.
April 6
12 Angry Men by 12 Impassioned Women: The Lewiston Civic Theatre presents a staged reading of “12 Angry Men by 12 Impassioned Women,” directed by Cheryl Tousley. This event will be held at the Center for Arts & History and will start at 7:30 p.m. The reading is part of the National Voter Registration Initiative and dozens of theatres across the country will be reading this script on this date.
April 18
14th Annual Lewis-Clark Recyclers’ Earth Day: This event takes place on Capital Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets in Lewiston at 4-7 p.m.
April 19
29th Annual Confluence Grape & Grain: This event runs 6-9 p.m. at the LCSC Center for Arts & History. The evening features a silent auction, live music by Eric Goodwin and Shania Rales, catering by Jollymore’s, a Dining Experience, and gives attendees the opportunity to sample six select wines and micro brews in a souvenir glass. Proceeds benefit the Center for Arts & History and the LCSC Business Student Organization Scholarship Fund.
April 19-22
Lewiston Spring Cluster All Breed Dog Show: Enjoy four days of AKC dog shows that bring together dog lovers and spectators from across the nation. The event is put on by the Palouse Hills Dog Fanciers, Inc., and the Lewis-Clark Kennel Club, Inc.
April 26-28
35th Annual Art Under the Elms: The signature event of the festival, AUE is a three-day artisans fair on the LCSC campus that includes more than 100 exhibiting local, regional and national artists; food vendors; a family fun fair, a Dogwood Tea Fairy Party, a community row for local non-profits to interface with the community, and live entertainment on two stages. A special feature this year is a free concert by local band 7 Devils on April 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the food court amphitheater.
April 27
Dogwood Show & Shine: A celebration of the most beautiful classic and contemporary cars, trucks and trikes from the Inland Northwest and beyond. Attendance is free. Registration of vehicles is $15. Takes place on the LCSC campus.
April 27
41st Annual Seaport River Run: A long running tradition of the Lewis-Clark Valley. Runners have choice of a 2.9 mile (5K) or a 6.2 mile (10K) run on the levees along the Snake River. Both routes start at Swallow Park in Clarkston and end at Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston. Line formation begins at 9:40 a.m. and the race starts at 10 a.m. Proceeds from this year’s run benefit the 2nd Judicial District of CASA.
April 27
Gatsby Gala: This is a benefit for the LCSC choir’s trip to perform in New York in the summer. The Gala will feature entertainment by acclaimed Seattle vintage jazz duo, Sundae + Mr. Goessl, with dancing, a photo booth, silent auction items, a cash bar, and snacks. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased in advance at the LCSC Humanities Division office.
April 27 & 28
34th Annual Seaport Quilters Quilt Show - “A Stitch in Time”: This annual quilt show demonstrates the craftsmanship of the Seaport Quilter's Guild and other local quilters at the Clarkston High School gym, including workshops and a quilters market featuring numerous vendors. Proceeds support the Seaport Quilters Guild comfort quilt community Outreach. Admission is $4 per person.
For additional Dogwood Festival information, call 208 792-2447.