This registration is for individuals who wish to participate in the 2026 Festival of Banners. All participants are required to pay a non-refundable participation fee based on age using the dropdown menu below. Youth 18 and under and seniors over 65 pay $10 to participate and all others pay $40.
The participation fee includes banner pickup once the banners are returned to Art Reach. Art Reach will notify all participants by email when banners are available for pickup.
Participants who would like their banner design traced must complete a Banner Tracing Request Form. This form must be picked up in person at Art Reach. Designs should be sketched directly onto the form and returned to Art Reach no later than February 27, 2026.
Festival of Banners: A Celebration of Creativity and Community
The Festival of Banners is one of Art Reach’s signature programs, transforming the region into a vibrant outdoor gallery each year. This cherished tradition invites artists of all ages and skill levels to create hand-painted vinyl banners, which are displayed on light poles throughout the community. From Shepherd and Union Township to the CMU Campus Connection, McLaren Central Michigan campus, Fancher Elementary, and downtown Mt. Pleasant, these banners bring art to unexpected places and showcase the rich diversity of creativity in our region.
Each banner tells a unique story, reflecting the artist’s perspective and the power of art to connect and inspire. Participants contribute a modest fee to cover supplies, making the program accessible to all. The Festival is a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community spirit.
Art Reach also produces a commemorative booklet featuring each banner alongside the names of our generous sponsors. These booklets serve as a tribute to the event’s impact and the people who make it possible.
Get Involved
The Festival of Banners invites everyone to participate, whether you’re an experienced artist or a first-time painter. This is your chance to contribute to a beloved community tradition and leave your mark on our shared outdoor gallery.
Looking Ahead
The theme for this year’s Festival of Banners is “Dreamscapes,” an exploration of imagined worlds and creative possibility. Artists are encouraged to draw inspiration from dreams, inner landscapes, and scenes beyond reality, whether peaceful, surreal, abstract, or entirely their own.
2026 Community Paint Days
Wednesday, March 11: 4-7 pm
Saturday, March 14: 10 am-2 pm
Monday, March 16: 4-7 pm
Wednesday, March 18: 4-7 pm
Saturday, March 21: 10 am-2 pm
Monday, March 23: 4-7 pm
Wednesday, March 25: 4-7 pm
Saturday, March 28: 10 am-2 pm
Monday, March 30: 11 am-3 pm
Tuesday, March 31: 11 am-3 pm
This registration is for businesses or organizations that wish to participate in the 2026 Festival of Banners, which allows the business name and/or logo to be included in the design and select an approximate location for the banner to be hung. All participants are required to pay a non-refundable participation fee. If the organization designs and paints their banner the fee is $200, or $300 if Art Reach completes the banner. The participation fee includes banner pickup once the banners are returned to Art Reach. Art Reach will notify all participants by email when banners are available for pickup.
Participants who would like their banner design traced must complete a Banner Tracing Request Form. This form must be picked up in person at Art Reach. Designs should be sketched directly onto the form and returned to Art Reach no later than February 27, 2026.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 EVENT SPONSORS!
Graff Buick GMC Cadillac
Isabella Community Credit Union
Isabella Bank
Krapohl Ford
Migizi Economic Development Co
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
Union Township