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Plenty on tap for August 2 and 3 weekend

by Meg Olson

"We’ve got riverdancing and bellydancing,” exulted Arts and Music Festival organizer Eddie Buendia.

Now in its eighth year the festival continues to grow and promises to fill Lighthouse Marine Park with music, dance and art, welcoming thousands of festival-goers on August 2 and 3. “We expect 10,000 will pass through. That’s what we saw last year,” Buendia said.

Musical performers cover a world of genres, including folk, rock, latin, classical and West African drumming. “It’s all original,” Buendia said. Headliners include festival regulars Craig Jacks and the Mighty Jackalopes, Bocephus King and the Rahma Dancers. Additions like the Eireborn Dancers, Annie Rapid, and Linda McRea and Cheerful Lonesome are new to the festival. “Of course it’s free,” Buendia added.

Besides performers, the festival will welcome dozens of artists and crafters, bringing their art to life for the festival. There will be face painting, henna tattoos, caricature drawing and a series of workshops for children. Food vendors will serve up gyro sandwiches and barbecued chicken, followed by snow cones and ice cream for dessert or kettle corn for an afternoon snack.

“We’re still looking for artists, craftspeople and a food vendor to come in,” Buendia added, adding local non-profits were being offered free booths.

The sought-after festival t-shirts, designed by Buendia, will be on sale for $15. “We kind of break even with that and we want everyone to buy one,” Buendia said. Proceeds go to support the Arts Foundation, which sponsors the festival every summer and supports ongoing arts and culture education throughout the year. “We focus on kids who can’t afford big schools,” Buendia said. The Arts Foundation programs in music, painting, crafts and culinary arts now serve close to 20 area children, using volunteer teachers, and Buendia says they hope to expand this year.

The festival runs August 2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and August 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The community van will be drafted into service for those who prefer to avoid the border lineups by walking across. It will run every 15 minutes between the U.S. border station and the park. For more information call Buendia at 945-2505.

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