Head to the Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts

The Elmwood Village will host the seventh annual Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts, transforming the area into a showcase for the creativity and diversity of the Buffalo area.

The seventh annual event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, on Elmwood Avenue between West Ferry Street and Lafayette Avenue.

The Artist's Market holds 170 artisans who have been selected to put their work on display. Approximately 70 percent of the artists are from Western New York. Discover why Buffalo is such an artistic hotbed.

For those who prefer to move and groove, a dance tent, complete with a wooden dance floor will get your feet moving. There will be music for all tastes.

The festival also presents dance ensembles, including Buffalo Contemporary Dance, Janet Reed and Dancers and Pick of the Crop.

New performers this year include Noa Bursie, Tom Stahl and the Dangerfields, Daughters of Creative Sound, The Path, The Skiffle Minstrels and more. A musician's showcase will take you on an audio tour of the best original music this area has to offer.

Meanwhile, KidFest 2006 welcomes children of all ages to participate in an array of hands-on projects. Kids will work individually and collaborativel y.

The KidFest (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday) will be creating "The Peaceable Kingdom." The King and Queen of the Peaceable Kingdom need the children's help to decorate the Queen's 90-foot-long silk train of her dress, and the King needs his vestments decorated, too. Peace flags need to be painted, masks made, hats assembled, faces painted, and bells strung. The Peaceable Kingdom parade begins at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Delicious cuisine will be served from Louie's Hot Dogs, Crystal Beach Candy Co., Mineo & Sapio and so much more.

For a schedule of performance listings, times and participating artists, visit www.elmwoodar tfest.org.