Behind the Scenes: Organizing the Impact Arts Festival
The Impact Arts Festival — a multimedia art experience for children ages 0–99 — returns for its 2nd annual celebration on May 2, 2026 from 10am–2pm at Morris City Park. Designed for kids, families, and the entire community, the festival is expected to welcome approximately 350 attendees this year.
But what most people don’t see is what happens behind the scenes.
Planning Begins Immediately
Planning for the festival begins early — in fact, it started the day after last year’s festival ended.
The venue is secured 12 months in advance, and performers are typically booked 6–12 months out. Sponsor outreach happens year-round, and vendor applications open approximately 6 months before the event.
The planning team discusses the festival at least once per week, ensuring that details are continually refined and partnerships stay strong. Together, they coordinate logistics, communication, programming, and partnerships to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Community Partnership Makes It Possible
The festival would not happen without community collaboration.
The City of Morris and Mayor Joe Pylant support the event, helping make Morris City Park a welcoming space for families.
A new addition this year is a partnership with Haig Baptist Church, which will provide lunch and additional activities for families.
Impact Arts Council is currently seeking sponsors for this year’s festival. Find more information on our website!
What to Expect This Year
The festival will feature:
Performances by:
Family focused vendors
10 Hands-on art activities
Interactive experiences for children and families
Last year’s event welcomed 100+ attendees, and this year the goal is not only to grow participation but also to raise $5,000 to support our programming at the Burkett Center.
The Volunteers Behind the Magic
It takes about 40 incredible volunteers to bring the Impact Arts Festival to life.
Our volunteers:
Lead hands-on art activities
Help with setup
Keep the day running smoothly
Training is simple, and our volunteers generously give their time because they care deeply about creating joyful, creative experiences for local children.
Volunteers truly are the heart of Impact Arts Council. They help turn our mission into reality by ensuring that access to the arts is something our whole community can experience together.
Tips for Artists & Vendors
For those interested in participating:
Fill out an application
Arrive early for setup
Bring kid-friendly pricing options
Engage families, not just sell
Include interactive elements if possible
Promote your participation ahead of time
The festival works best when vendors and artists see themselves as part of a shared community experience.
See you May 2nd!
As we prepare for this year’s Impact Arts Festival, we are reminded that events like this don’t happen because of one person — they happen because of a community.
To the City of Morris, Mayor Joe Pylant, Haig Baptist Church, our planning team, volunteers, performers, vendors, families, and every supporter who shares, sponsors, or shows up — thank you. Your time, energy, and belief in what we do make this day possible.
Because of you, children and families have access to creativity beyond the classroom. Because of you, Morris City Park becomes a space filled with art, music, laughter, and connection.
We are grateful for your partnership and participation, and we can’t wait to celebrate together on May 2. Art truly impacts everyone — and this festival is proof.