Rarely do we take the time to sit back and appreciate summer's charms - outdoor dining, live entertainment and tree-filtered sunlight.

This year, Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre will hold its first Midsummer Celebration of Light from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on June 23 at Sleepy Hollow Arts Park.

"Sleepy Hollow is all about providing light in people's lives," said Susan Lundberg, the group's executive director.

This midsummer celebration pays homage to a northern European tradition that marks the summer solstice.

"We would like families to come and enjoy the evening," Lundberg said. "It's meant to be a real community celebration."

Dave Thompson, news director for Prairie Public Radio, will provide some dancing music, including 1960s music and more contemporary hits.

Sleepy Hollow volunteer Jim Towner built five traditional midsummer poles, or "maypoles," which will decorate the park. Wreaths laced with five kinds of ribbon hang from the poles.

Towner said the midsummer celebration will showcase local singers, dancers and artists.

"It's really fun to see (the performers) doing this," he said. "There's so much talent here, it's amazing."

Courtesy of Northern Plains Ballet, Carly Schaub, Alexander Collen and Hollis Mackintosh will perform a Summer Festival Modern Dance.

The Prairie Rose String Quartet will feature local musicians Tom Wellin, Susan Neumann, Scott Neumann and Laura Prokopyk.

The Sons of Norway Dancers and Singers and the Three Crown Swedish Club will also participate.

Sleepy Hollow Artistic Director JobChristenson will perform vocals, complete with an audience sing-along.

Artists Ali LaRock, Paul Noot and Rebecca Young will assist with mini silk painting, the creation of flower wreaths and face painting.

Gourmet chef Cicilia Dina Andersen, formerly of the Ritz Escoffier Cooking School in Paris, will serve gourmet entrees.

Also, Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre will present excerpts from its upcoming summer productions, "Leader of the Pack"and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Directed by Tom Porter, "Joseph" will be performed nightly at 8:30 p.m. from July 11 to 21.

"Leader of the Pack," directed by Sam Ivory, will run from July 24 to 28, with nightly performances starting at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at Herberger's, Eckroth Music, Gallery 522 and at the gate.

For more information, call 258-6343 or visit www.shst.org.

The park is located on the corner of 26th Street and Divide Avenue in Bismarck. The event is free and open to the public.

(Reach reporter Alyssa Schafer at 250-8264 or alyssa.schafer@;bismarcktribune.com.)