Courtesy photo The Waterfront Art Festival, put on by the Bonifas Art Center, returns to Escanaba this Saturday.

ESCANABA – The Waterfront Art Festival, put on by the Bonifas Art Center, returns to Escanaba this Saturday.

On Saturday, Aug. 4, Ludington Park will be full of vendors, music, fun and of course art from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The free-to-attend event features 48 art vendor booths, a book sale, food trucks, an art raffle, and more.

“There’s a huge wide variety of mediums that are being represented,” said Bonifas Special Events Coordinator Heather Grimes.

Guests will get a chance to see a wide range of artistic works, including drawings, paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, glasswork, and more.

Young artists also get the opportunity to showcase their creations in the Youth Artist Market tent.

“Our number has gone up a lot since last year. So we have 24 youth vendors that will be there. They’ll be there all day selling their wares as well,” Grimes said.

The youth projects feature crochet, painting, 3D printing and more.

Each artist also has the opportunity to display their work for a juried art show in varying categories such as 3D, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, pottery, and prints/drawings.

Judges will select a winner in each category, as well as choose a best in show.

Artists may also submit their own work for the art raffle.

The Bonifas teamed up with the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority to help promote Art Week in Escanaba, leading up to the festival.

Today, Lunch on Ludington will feature a coffee grinding class.

The art fun continues on Thursday with plein air painting downtown.

In addition to the 48 vendors and the 24 youth vendors, there will also be live entertainment throughout the day on Saturday, starting with the Remnants Barbershop Chorus at 10 a.m.

The Remnants kick off the day with the singing of the national anthem, before strolling around the vendor area until 10:30 a.m., providing patrons with the perfect ambiance.

Head over to the Karas Bandshell between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. for music by the Escanaba City Band.

Following the city band, a local artist, Anthony Joseph Crispigna, will perform Americana music from noon to 3 p.m.

Around 3:30 p.m., raffle winners and winners of the juried art show will be announced.

Vendors close up at 4 p.m., but the fun continues with a bonus band this year.

“The Marrier Orchestra Revival band is going to be playing at 6 p.m. at the band shell,” Grimes shared.

“We’re kind of testing the waters this year to see if people will want to stick around, maybe extend our hours for next year, and maybe make the event a little bit longer, do a few more bands in the evening.”

Grimes encourages the public to stop by the park to experience a day full of art and fun.

“Come down for food and art and fun and entertainment,” she said.

For more information and updates, follow the center’s Facebook page at Bonifas Art Center.