Columbus ArtsFest ‘grand finale’ to debut new mural. See list of food vendors, performers
A vibrant new mural will welcome folks to an iconic Columbus park this weekend, helping put an exclamation point on a month-long celebration of the arts in Columbus.
The mural, painted by artist Chris Johnson, will be among the sights, sounds and tastes at Arts in the Park, scheduled for April 26, from noon to 5 p.m., at Lakebottom Park. Admission is free and open to the public.
The mural is painted on the back of, and wraps around the ends, of the park’s band shelter, also called the band shell.
Organizers are billing this year’s festival as “the grand finale” of ArtsFest, the citywide month-long celebration in April of arts and culture. Music, visual art, performances, local makers and hands-on experiences are scheduled, according to a news release from VisitColumbusGA.
“Arts in the Park reflects the heart of Columbus: a city where creativity is not confined to galleries or stages but woven into everyday life.” the news release says. “By bringing artists, families, nonprofits, performers and neighbors together in a shared public space, the event creates something larger than a festival — it creates connection.”
According to the Street Food Saturdays Facebook page the food truck lineup includes:
- What’s Up Kimbap
- Freaky Fries
- Bennett’s Smoke House
- The Icey Girl & Co.
- Manna Bowls
- Ms. Traci’s Lemonade
- Sweet Charlotte’s Kettle Corn
- Jhoomar Indian Cuisine
- The Buzz Board
- It’s Flippin Sweets
- Fizzed & Fueled.
This year’s event will feature live performances at the park’s band shelter and the Midtown Red Frame Stage. The Arts in the Park Facebook page lists the following entertainment:
Band shelter
- 12:30-1 p.m. Welcome and ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated band shelter.
- 1-2 p.m. The Viberations.
- 2:30-3:30 p.m. The Shelby Brothers.
- 4-5 p.m. Columbus Jazz Society with special guest Dallas Smith.
Midtown Red Frame Stage
- Noon-12:30 p.m. Just Breathe Grown Up And Me Yoga
- 12:40-1 p.m. Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus
- 1:30-2 p.m. Family Theatre
- 2:15-2:45 p.m. Fountain City Flutes
- 3-5 p.m. Salsa dance lessons
The event will also have artists selling their work, student art exhibitions, interactive nonprofit booths and “opportunities for the community to experience creativity in every form,” the news release says.
This year’s Arts in the Park partners include MidTown Inc., Columbus Parks & Recreation, The Columbusite, Muscogee County School District and Street Food Saturdays.
For additional event information, visit the Arts in the Park website.
This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 8:57 AM.
