Downtown Pullman will be filled with music, art and spring-themed events this weekend as the Blooms & Tunes festival returns for its second year. The Earth Day festival was inspired by the region’s connection to the environment, agriculture and the arts.
Jandi Utzman, the president of Promote Pullman, said the idea for the festival was inspired by Earth Day and the region’s connection to the land.
“I hope people are inspired a little bit more to appreciate and explore more arts and to appreciate the Palouse,” Utzman said. “It’s just so beautiful here with the rolling hills. It’s a beautiful time of year.”
The festival will feature a mix of live music, interactive art and community partnerships, many of them involving WSU students and organizations.
Five regional musicians were selected to perform based on their local impact and previous involvement in Promote Pullman events. Performances will take place across two days, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Pine Street Plaza with local artist Peter Wang, followed by Dave Long from 7-10 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup will move to High Street Plaza, where Meg Stratton will perform at 2:30 p.m., followed by Ben Barton at 4 p.m. and Joel Stevens at 6:30 p.m.
WSU’s Student Association for Music Entrepreneurship (SAME) partnered with the organization to help with the music component of the festival, while other campus groups like the Raptor Club, AMDT and digital technology and culture students are contributing to the event’s broader creative elements.
Art will play a central role throughout the weekend. The “Murals Coming to Life” installation will return, featuring QR codes that allow attendees to be digitally immersed in downtown art. AMDT students are designing three of the festival’s ten floral art installations.
A Mad Hatter-inspired exhibit created by DTC students incorporates tea, florals and art with the festival. The immersive digital art experience will run from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday.
This year’s festival will also feature an expanded photography competition, organized by Walk With Me Photography, highlighting submissions from local photographers.
In addition to installations, more than 30 downtown businesses will participate by decorating umbrellas displayed throughout the festival.
Local nursery SYG Nursery & Landscaping will also contribute plants, flowers and trees to be used throughout the weekend, further emphasizing the Earth Day theme.
As well as live music and art installations, a perfume bar will be hosted by Blends Bar, which Utzman owns and operates. Utzman said that she wants the streets of Pullman to be as vibrant as they were on Family Weekend.
“I think that it [Blooms & Tunes] will be even better this year,” Utzman said. “We have a little more funding this year to have double musicians at each event, and I think it’s going to be really fun.”
As a self-funded organization, Promote Pullman works with vital resources like volunteers and community partnerships to bring events like Blooms & Tunes to life. The manager of the now-closed Lily Bee’s has also been helpful in planning the events.
“I think that every connection we make is so important in trickling down to success,” Utzman said.
As well as live music and art, local vendors will set up at the Starlight Market on Friday night to kick off the weekend. Located at Pine Street Plaza, the market will be held from 6-10 p.m.
With a full schedule of music, art and activities, organizers hope that the festival draws people of all ages downtown and highlights what Pullman has to offer, especially after the downtown remodel.
“Hopefully it inspires people to come downtown, inspires businesses to interact more, and open up their doors and let people in,” Utzman said.
With events like Blooms & Tunes, Utzman hopes to build momentum and engagement downtown to liven up Pullman.
