Artown wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the thousands of visitors to Reno each July that experience the festival as well as the local partnerships that help us educate those visitors on our events. This year people are learning about the festival from a fantastic TV spot put together by our friends at Tahoe TV. Check out their work in the video below.

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.

Listen to Tim Jones‘ Film Introduction

From the moment Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) floats into the Banks’ household, things are never the same. The children, Jane and Michael, are swept into magical romps across the English countryside, tea parties on the ceiling, and madcap dances over the rooftops of London. A winner of five Academy Awards (including Best Actress), this Disney classic also stars Dick Van Dyke.  Rated G.  Run-time 140 minutes. Come early for best seating; dress warmly and bring a blanket. Movies in the park is sponsored by University of Phoenix and Goldcorp, Inc.

Watch the trailer for Mary Poppins: