Arts and crafts vendors will fill the streets of downtown Coupeville this weekend as the Coupeville Festival Association rings in its 50th anniversary.
Roughly 250 volunteers aid in the execution of the festival, which is a big draw for people from all over.
The festival will feature more than 200 vendors, live music, food, activities and more.
It runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
A juried art gallery and wine reception will serve as the kickoff to the festival 7 p.m. Friday at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 NW Alexander St.
Advance tickets may be purchased for $20 at bayleaf, Coupeville Chamber of Commerce, Coupeville Arts Center and Lind’s Pharmacy in Coupeville. Tickets are $25 at the door.
One thing that is changing this year is there won’t be an Artists in Action area.
Festival Association President Mike Dessert said the location they normally used was unavailable to the festival this year and there were no other suitable locations.
Not only does it take 250 volunteers to execute the festival each year, but over the years several partnerships have been formed.
The Coupeville Chamber of Commerce is running the wine and beer garden as well as the information booth.
All of the proceeds from the festival go back into the community in the form of grants and scholarships.
Since the 1980s, the association has supported Coupeville High School’s History Day program.
In exchange, History Day students help the festival by picking up garbage over both days.
The Coupeville Boys and Girls Club runs the parking on the community green and will receive 60 percent of the proceeds from that.
One change this year, Dessert said, is that parking will be $5 instead of the previous $3.
Last year, nearly 2,000 cars paid to park in the designated festival parking, he said.
The festival will feature live music both days. The stage will be located near the food court in the municipal parking lot.
A variety of artists will perform, including a mariachi band and a family band offering traditional American music.
For the full list of vendors and entertainment, go to www.coupevillefestival.com
