The Pennsylvania Wilds regional tourism and economic development organization this week announced that Kane’s Art in the Wilds has been named its Event of the Year for the Wilds region.

The PA Wilds promotes rural revitalization across a thirteen-county region that encompasses more than 2 million acres of public and private land in northern Pennsylvania.

The award will be formally presented at the PA Wilds annual dinner to be held in Bellefonte on July 24.

For 19 years Art in the Wilds has anchored Kane’s Alumni Weekend. It draws thousands of visitors to Evergreen Park to see and purchase art created for the only juried fine arts and crafts show in the Pennsylvania Wilds region.

Art in the Wilds President Julie Cleland will accept the award on behalf of all those whose work over the years has led to the award.

“The art show cannot be successfully organized year after year without the financial support of our loyal sponsors and supporters and the time and effort of our nearly 100 volunteers,” Cleland said.

“The initial vision,” she said, “was to bring to Kane quality fine arts and crafts that we might not otherwise get an opportunity to see in one place at one time, and in such a beautiful setting as Evergreen Park. We also hoped that it might stimulate some additional economic development for Kane, and it seems that has happened. Art in all its many forms, with the support of the Kane Area Development Center and other organizations, is now an increasingly important part of life in our ‘active, attractive’ community.”

Marilyn Blackmore, vice president, harkened back to the first show 19 years ago. “It was only half the size of the current show,” she said. “The initial vision has been realized, and we look forward to continuing to present a quality event that has been recognized by the PA Wilds and beyond.”

“People ask if the show will be getting bigger,” Artistic Director Merry Ryding said, “and the answer is no. Only better. Artists must compete to be accepted into the show, and we limit participation to forty artists. That assures there is a show with a warm and relaxed setting for both artists and patrons.”

The 19th annual Art in the Wilds will be held during Kane’s Alumni Weekend, June 28 and 29.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. There is no admission charge. A variety of food options are offered on site.

Visitors are reminded that a Kane Borough ordinance prohibits bringing dogs into Evergreen Park and the art show site.