Festival of the Arts Begins Tuesday

The Festival of the Arts is a big event that lasts six days. It is expected to draw more than half a million visitors to the downtown area.

Tuesday, April 20th 2010, 10:24 am

By: News 9

By Emily Wood, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Festival of the Arts is a big event that lasts six days. It is expected to draw more than half a million visitors to the downtown area.

This year marks the 44th festival. The six-day event showcases 144 visual artists, 120 gourmet food items, and hundreds of musical performers. Festival goers will see sculptures, photographs, acrylics, glass and jewelry.

Event staffers say there are artists coming from all around the country and from as far away as Russia and Canada.

"I've been treated very well here and really enjoy the hospitality that the folks in the community extend to the artists and the craftsmen," Festival of the Arts artist Robert Flowers said.

The Festival begins today and runs for six days in at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. It is open from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.

Festival goers can now use cell phones to view schedules, maps, artist guides, weather updates and more on the mobile site www.ArtsCouncilOKC.com.