COLUMBIA CITY – The Whitley County Autumn Art Festival is gearing up for its 14th annual event in downtown Columbia City, with art, music and more Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Whitley County Courthouse lawn. New to the festival this year will be evening events, starting at 5 p.m. till 10 p.m. including live bands with Trent Boston and He Said She Said. There also will be a beer tent, corn hole tournament, art activities and food vendors on site. The family-oriented fine arts festival draws juried artists from around the region, showcasing their artwork for sale. Visitors can take a look and shop for a variety of mediums including ceramics, photography, metalwork, painting, drawing and more. During the day, musicians featuring a variety of styles will perform at the gazebo. Amateur and professional dancers liven up the streets as they tap, clog and strut their stuff. A children’s art tent will provide kids to have their special place at the festival as well, creating masterpieces of their own. The festival’s goal is to offer the community a day filled with opportunities for appreciating, exploring and experiencing the arts in a fun, festive setting. Other activities at the festival will feature a student art show inside city hall, silent art auction – “Art in the Trunk”, carriage rides, art demonstrations and a chalk walk event. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will be designated to a graduating art student in Whitley County. Admission is free for this family event, with free parking downtown. Anyone interested in being a sponsor of the art festival or volunteering, can call Linda Green at 260-610-4645. Also, visit the website www.wcaaf.org
