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A good community celebration gives people something to do together. At Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park in Cornish, New Hampshire, that means clay, cameras, music, paint and plenty of permission to try something new. The park’s annual Art in the Park Festival returns Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The National Park Service describes the day with a lovely premise: everyone is an artist. Park staff, independent artists and area arts organizations will offer hands-on activities, with materials provided for every skill level. Sculpture demonstrations, family art projects, ranger-guided tours and music are all on the schedule.
Make something, even if you have never tried before
For visitors who like a clear invitation, the program has plenty. Artists will lead plein-air drop-ins, clay sketching and cyanotype printmaking. Families can make a traditional-style whisk broom, create nature-inspired art with pressed flowers and watercolors, or try instruments at a musical-instrument petting zoo. A photography meet-up will offer help with taking and printing digital pictures.
The cyanotype activity has an especially useful pairing of art and local context. Participants can make a blue-and-white print with plant material or a prepared image of an American shad, while learning from the Connecticut River Conservancy about rivers and conservation. It is the kind of small project that can turn an afternoon walk into a conversation on the ride home.
A shared celebration at 2:30
Music will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra performs arrangements of traditional fiddle tunes. At 2:30 p.m., the park will unveil a collective artwork inspired by the nation’s first motto, E pluribus unum, and hold a Junior Ranger ceremony for young participants. The artwork marks both the country’s 250th birthday and the 10th anniversary of the park’s Standing Lincoln installation.
Plan a relaxed visit
Standard entry fees apply, but the Saint-Gaudens Memorial will cover admission for the first 200 adults; children 15 and under are always free. Pack a picnic if you like—the park welcomes picnicking, and visitors should bring the food they want to enjoy. Most activities take place near the visitor center and Standing Lincoln. Overflow parking is available, with staff and signage to help guide visitors; a shuttle will serve people with mobility concerns, and a limited number of accessible spaces are near the visitor center.
The festival is scheduled rain or shine, except in dangerous conditions. Check the National Park Service event page before setting out for the latest details. Then bring your curiosity. A first brushstroke, a simple print or a few minutes of music can be more than enough for a good day together.
When: Saturday, September 12, 2026, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, Cornish, New Hampshire
