When Arlington Avenue closes from West First Street to Island Avenue so the Regional Transportation Commission and the city of Reno can construct two new bridges, Wingfield Park will close along with it. The closure is scheduled to begin on May 5 and last for about a year.
The park—with its Glenn Little Amphitheater, grassy seating area, space for food trucks and easy river access—has long been a popular summer concert venue. While Artown hosts events throughout July at 100+ venues—including bars, theaters and even all three Trader Joe’s—Wingfield Park has been its anchor venue almost every year since it began in 1996.
The only exceptions were in 2020, when venues were shuttered altogether due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021, when social distancing protocols necessitated more spacious seating. That year, Artown’s main stage was on a six-acre section of Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.
“No venue is more important to Artown than Wingfield Park,” said executive director Beth Macmillan in a phone interview. “And this is our 30th anniversary, so it would be fabulous to be in Wingfield Park. But that being said, we really have figured out how to pivot.”
This year, Artown’s main venue will be in Rancho again, in the area that used to be Great Basin Adventure, the theme park that closed in 2010.
“It’s a more intimate venue,” Macmillan said. “It’s surrounded by beautiful trees.”
She said that with the tree cover, neither audience members nor performers should have to worry about sun in their eyes.
Starsound Audio will bring in a stage, sound, lights and a video wall, Macmillan said. As usual, she recommended attendees bring their own chairs or a picnic blanket.
To learn more about the RTC and the city of Reno’s Arlington Avenue Bridges Project, visit rtcwashoe.com/projects/arlington-avenue-bridges-project. For Artown information, visit artown.org.