Art in Allentown

Local artists will paint the town - Allentown - when the 50th annual Allentown Art Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10 along Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.

American Style Magazine selected the festival as one of the "Top 25 Art Fairs and Festivals in the U.S."

Four hundred and fifty exhibitors from across the United States and Canada will exhibit their work while tens of thousands of art patrons will enjoy the the quality of art, concessions, area restaurants and the charm and uniqueness of Allentown.

During the 2006 festival, $21,275 in cash awards were presented to artists, Best of Show, Mentholatum Purchase Award and Poster winners. There was also $20,000 awarded for eight Art Scholarships.

This year, the Best of Show Award receives $1,000, as does the Mentholatum Purchase Award. Media Category Prizes total $16,925 in categories including painting (realistic and abstract), watercolor, drawing/ graphics, sculpture, photography, mixed media, clay, glass/acrylic, jewelry and creative crafts (hard and soft). Art scholarships will be awarded to four high school students, two college and NYS Summer School of the Arts, totaling $20,000.

The Allentown Art Festival is presented by the Allentown Village Society Inc., a volunteer, not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit www.allentownar tfestival.com.