The arts — visual, musical and literary — are a key piece to helping downtown Austin thrive as a retail district and a neighborhood.

According to Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, southeast Minnesota leads the state — including the Twin Cities metro area — in per capita resident spending at an arts and culture event at $23.76 which is 47 percent higher than the statewide average of $16.16. This calculation excludes the cost of admission. (http://www.mncitizensforthearts.org)

That’s why the Vision 2020 Destination Downtown committee has been supporting the expanding programming from the Austin Area Commission for the Arts. We know that the Historic Paramount Theatre, Austin ArtWorks Center and Austin ArtWorks Festival all help support the economic health of the neighborhood and the community.

The Destination Downtown committee is honored to be hosting a Main Street Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 22 in conjunction with the ArtWorks Festival.

Festival attendees are encouraged to head a few blocks west to Main Street to experience the celebration which will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street between Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

Part of the celebration will be a visit from Spamerican Tour food truck.

As you may know, Hormel Foods has been touring the country this summer, bringing Spam to a dozen cities. It’s exciting for Austin to host the Spamerican Tour with cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Head down to the construction site of the new Spam Museum to enjoy Spamples from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The ArtWorks Center will offer a Trunk Show which is the arts equivalent of a sidewalk sale. Stop down and see what artwork is for sale on the street and hunt for an inspired bargain.

Across the street from the ArtWorks Center, there will be a great photo opportunity: a giant bubble-emitting beaker from the Hormel Institute. The beaker will be available at the NW corner of Main Street and 2nd Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. What a great way to celebrate all that is “bubbling up” in cancer research at the Hormel Institute.

Shade tree mechanics and art lovers will unite in appreciating the Spare Arts Custom Motorcycle Show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop down to see what rolls in from across the region. You may even find a vintage camper or other mod wheels on display.

Finally, a massive community Bubble Blast will be held at noon. Please bring family, friends and your own favorite bubble wand. We will be providing bubble liquid in large troughs on Main Street. At noon, we’ll count down and start the Bubble Blast. We hope to make it the largest gathering of bubble blowers ever.

As always, we hope visitors take time to enjoy the great retailers, restaurants and bars in downtown Austin. The Main Street Celebration will wrap up with live music at the B&J Bar and Grill until 7 p.m.

The ArtWorks celebration rolls on with the Dick Schindler Celebration Concert at Marcusen Park at 7 p.m. and more ArtWorks Festival at the Downtown Power Plant on Sunday, Aug. 23.

We hope to see you there. Find out more on Facebook at Downtown Austin MN.