What to watch: Midland Celebrates continues its America250 summer celebrations this weekend with Arts & Culture Day on Saturday, June 20. The day features live concerts, art markets, family activities, and special screenings. There are plenty of ways to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through the arts in Midland.

Midland Celebrates is a collaboration between the City of Midland and the Midland Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

The big picture: Arts & Culture Day is one of several themed celebrations leading up to Midland’s Star-Spangled Salute on July 4. Here’s your guide to the events happening on Saturday, June 20:

  • Morning Market Kickoff: Live music, local vendors, fresh food, and family activities. Mayor Lori Blong will open the celebration at 8 a.m., followed by performances throughout the morning from Piano Room, Jackson’s Lost Cause, Daniel Fantasma, Midland Festival Ballet, and comedian Brandon Medlock. Visitors can also pick up an America250 Passport and collect stamps throughout the day for prizes and recognition.
    • Time: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    • Location: Midland Downtown Farmers Market, 404 N. Colorado St.
  • Courts of Liberty: Tennis, Pickleball & Play: The event begins with the America250 Pickleball Tournament from 8-11 a.m., followed by free open pickleball from noon to 5 p.m. Players of all skill levels are welcome, and court fees will be waived during open play.
    • Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Location: Bush Tennis Center, 5700 Briarwood Ave.
  • West Texas Stories: Art, Energy & Imagination: Explore the Downtown Library’s public art collection while celebrating the people, stories, and industries that shaped the Permian Basin. Visitors can view Calina Mishay’s Imagination Mural, Rae Ripple’s “Into the Sun” sculpture, Peter Himmelberg and Tom Ryan’s “In The New World,” and learn more about the region through literacy activities and the library’s Petroleum Collection.
    • Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Location: Downtown Library, 301 W. Missouri Ave.
  • Chaps Create: Student Art & Family Fest: Midland College will showcase student artwork, local artists, live demonstrations, performances, and family activities. Visitors can explore exhibits from Kids’ College students, view works by local artists and Emily Daw, and watch live ceramics demonstrations, piano performances, and theatre presentations throughout the morning.
    • Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    • Location: Midland College, F. Marie Hall Academic Building, 3600 N. Garfield St.
  • America 250: Bigger in Texas: The Museum of the Southwest highlights include the GIANT sculpture exhibition by Ken Womack, the Texas Backyard exhibit in the Children’s Museum, planetarium shows at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m., and a guided Turner Mansion tour at 2 p.m. The museum will also offer free admission from 4-5 p.m.
    • Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Location: Museum of the Southwest, 1705 W. Missouri Ave.
  • Prairie Trails & Tales of the Ice Age: Sibley Nature Center will open its doors on a Saturday for a special opportunity to explore the center’s new “Surviving the Ice Age of Texas” exhibit. Guests can join guided tours led by the museum scientist and explore the nature trails while learning about the prehistoric animals and environments that once existed across Texas.
    • Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Location: Sibley Nature Center, 1307 E. Wadley Ave.
  • Red, White & Blue Paint-Out: Help create 250 patriotic paintings for Midland’s July 4 Star-Spangled Salute while contributing to a community art project celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Participants of all ages can paint a patriotic canvas and add a self-portrait caricature to “The Faces of Midland,” a large community mural designed to capture the people participating in the celebration.
    • Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Location: Palette Club, 907 W. Wadley Ave.
  • Party for the Patriots: Saturday Spectacular: Basin PBS will host a family-friendly celebration featuring a PBS Kids program highlighting the historical figures George Washington and Abigail Adams. The event includes hands-on activities, snacks, and interactive experiences designed for younger children, while introducing families to the history of America’s founding in an engaging way.
    • Time: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
    • Location: Basin PBS Ritz Theater, 203 N. Main St.
  • Art Exhibit, Sculpture Garden & Children’s Scavenger Hunt: Explore the Arts Council of Midland’s permanent collection and tour the historic Scarborough-Linebery House, with guided gallery tours offered throughout the day. Outside, families can enjoy a children’s scavenger hunt through the FMH Foundation Sculpture Garden and explore public art installations.
    • Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
    • Location: Arts Council of Midland, 806 S. Main St.
  • Cinema Under the Stars: Hamilton: Experience the award-winning musical Hamilton on the big screen beneath the Wagner Noël’s indoor star field. Doors open at noon with food trucks, free popcorn, children’s activities, and behind-the-scenes venue tours. UTPB Arts students will also host special activities throughout the lobby before the screening begins.
    • Time: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Location: Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, 1310 N. FM 1788
  • Loud Music, Big Feelings, Good Vibes!: Cotton Flat Records will transform into a daylong celebration of independent music and culture. Visitors can browse vinyl records during the afternoon before an evening concert featuring Ghostlux, Louie and the Liars, Horizon City, Ishkur, and IBNH beginning at 6:30 p.m.
    • Time: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Location: Cotton Flat Records, 1402 Cotton Flat Rd.
  • Living in America – Art Market: Presented by Cultura West and Midland Community Theatre, this curated art market asks a simple question: “What does it look like to live in America today?” Local artists will showcase and sell original work while visitors browse exhibits, meet artists, and enjoy live music throughout the afternoon.
    • Time: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Location: Midland Community Theatre, 2000 W. Wadley Ave
  • Cole Philips & Huser Brothers Band | Open Air Finale Concert: Arts & Culture Day concludes with a free downtown concert featuring Texas country artists Cole Phillips and the Huser Brothers Band. The evening begins with food vendors, drinks, local vendors, and community activities before live music takes over the stage.
    • Time: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
    • Location: Downtown Midland, 404 N. Colorado St.
  • Juneteenth Jubilee: Freedom in Full Color: The MLK Community Center will host an evening celebrating Juneteenth with music, food, family activities, and cultural programming. This year’s event incorporates a Mardi Gras theme.
    • Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
    • Location: MLK Community Center, 2300 Butternut Lane
  • Summer Mummers: One of Midland’s longest-running traditions joins the America250 celebration as Midland Community Theatre presents its annual Summer Mummers production. The evening includes a classic melodrama followed by the All-American Olio, featuring comedy, music, dancing, audience participation, and the traditional popcorn-throwing.
    • Time: 7:30 p.m.
    • Location: Yucca Theatre, 208 N. Colorado St.

What’s next: Mark your calendar for STEM Day on June 27, building toward Midland’s annual Star-Spangled Salute on July 4. Every Midland Celebrates America 250 event is free and open to the public.

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