Artown’s July 1 opening festivities are always an extravaganza. This year the FREE party has three venues, activities for children and adults including face painting and dancing, live music and a parade. Really, it’s the kick-off to an entire month of arts and culture, nearly 400 events, 63% free and all of them spectacular. Here’s a message from Artown Executive Director Beth Macmillan on what you can expect for Artown’s 2010 July 1 Opening Extravaganza.

Can’t get enough of MarchFourth Marching Band? They can’t get enough of Reno!  

MarchFourth Marching Band takes their rowdy, base-thumping, horns-blaring show from Wingfield Park and Artown’s July 1 Opening Extravaganza over to the Knitting Factory for a FREE after-party of big band proportions. It all starts at 9 p.m. with a parade from Wingfield Park to the Knitting Factory, located at 211 N. Virginia Street. (Entrance through Fulton Alley in back.)

They’ll also be doing the Delhi Belly dance, so learn it here if you want to join in at the show!