OKLAHOMA CITY- Since 1967, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s annual Festival of the Arts has been the city’s “rite of spring.” The 44th annual Festival of the Arts, April 20-25, promises to continue the tradition. Event co-chairs for the 2010 Festival of the Arts are Sandra Cassimus and John Robberson.

The Visual Arts
The Festival features 144 fine artists on Hudson Avenue and the kinetic art in Windscapes. The Stage Center lawn will be filled with large-scale works of art in the Sculpture Park. This year’s South Hudson Gallery exhibit is curated by Oklahoma City artist Romy Owens and will feature a collection of paintings from Bert Seabourn, an American expressionist who retired last year from Festival of the Arts after 43 years. Seabourn is the longest-running Plaza Artist to show at Festival of the Arts.

The Culinary Arts
Take a break from the art and enjoy all of the fine food Festival has to offer. The International Food Row will feature old favorites like Indian Tacos, Craig and Carter’s Fish Tacos Strawberries Newport and Bodacious Burritos. The signature dessert Strawberries Newport also returns but will introduce two new strawberry desserts: chocolate covered strawberries and shaved ice with strawberry purée. Also new this year, taste original food items from new vendors such as Sammy Pizza’s calzone and chocolate chip pizza, Deep Fork Grill’s prime rib slider and drunken fries, Café do Brasil’s chicken stroganoff and Prato Sao Paulo. Each food vendor is partnered with a local non-profit agency, so each bite goes to support the arts in central Oklahoma.

The Performing Arts
The Festival of the Arts has four stages of non-stop performing arts entertainment ranging in scope from the youngest elementary school performers to professional musicians. More than 300 performers donate their time and talent to entertain Festival crowds, which reach up to 750,000 in six days. This year’s street performer group is a hilarious comedy duo Project Dynamite. They’ll be roaming the grounds, wowing audiences with a variety of tricks and incredible stunts.

Art for Children
The Youth Plaza, located on the east side of the Crystal Bridge, will include many great activities for children and families. At Children’s Art Field, children can create their own art for just $2. Children can also purchase art created by Festival artists for $5 or less at the Young-At-Art Mart, where it’s kids-only shopping. There will also be kid-friendly food vendors, Student Arts After School Gallery and performances at the Children’s Stage, including school groups and a children’s talent show called Festival Idol. Face painting, a children’s festival favorite, will be located nearby at the north side of the Crystal Bridge. And for a free activity, children should venture to Creation Station, located at the northwest corner of the gardens, where they can help build and add on to a giant sculpture.

The Festival of the Arts is produced by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, and sponsored by Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Devon Energy Corporation. The Festival takes place April 20-25 in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free, and pets are not allowed. For more information, visit www.ArtsCouncilOKC.com or call 405-270-4848.