When green is golden

Imagine ArtWalk under the bright blue skies.

Toss in seemingly limitless food, craft and gift booths, and what have you got? Three days of fun, that's what.

One of North Idaho's most anticipated annual trifectas begin today. Sandwiched nicely between Fourth of July festivities and the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo, Art on the Green returns. Its sidekicks - the Downtown Street Fair downtown and Taste of the Coeur d'Alenes in City Park - share the spotlight again. But the big draw is on the campus of North Idaho College.

This 43rd rendition of Art on the Green features more than 135 artists, as musicians and other performers blend beautifully with creations of almost every imaginable kind. Its popularity is virtually unparalleled, attracting some 50,000 people to the campus over the three-day weekend.

In addition to thousands of pieces of artwork, the hard work of some 500 volunteers will be on display. Art on the Green is a massive annual undertaking sponsored by the Citizens' Council for the Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging and promoting the arts. The three days in the spotlight are merely the culmination of many, many hours of organization and effort that take place the year 'round.

The Coeur d'Alene area has few peers when it comes to great fun in public places. In communities throughout the region, we have parades and festivals almost too many to name, and downtown Coeur d'Alene is the anchor to many of them.

But Art on the Green holds a special place because of its cultural blessing on the community. This event, like few others, enriches us. To those hundreds of volunteers who make it happen, we offer our heartfelt thanks.