Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival organizers are finalizing last-minute details before one of Whidbey Island’s largest events of the year gets underway Friday.

“It takes a lot of volunteers to put this festival on,” said festival President Mike Dessert. “Last year we had 285 documented volunteers.”

Though the event is just days away, help is always needed.

Dessert said volunteers are needed Friday morning and evening, getting infrastructure set up and helping vendors unload.

“Monday morning we need lots of help tearing down.”

With approximately 180 vendors, that’s a lot of merchandise coming into downtown Coupeville.

“We’re one or two within our maximum capacity,” Dessert said.

The festival kicks off 7 p.m. Friday when the juried art show opens for public viewing with a wine reception in the Coupeville Recreation Hall. For $20, guests can stroll through and purchase art while sipping wine and hors d’oeuvres. Ticket prices include a commemorative wine glass.

Tickets are sold in advance at bayleaf, Big Rock Design, Branch Business Services, Pacific Northwest Art School and Cascade Insurance in Coupeville and Central Collision and the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce in Oak Harbor.

Tickets are $25 at the door.

The Juried Art Gallery is organized and run by the Pacific Northwest Art School.

The festival is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in downtown Coupeville.

Festival visitors unable to attend Friday’s preview may wander through the juried art display free between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Musical entertainment is scheduled throughout the festival featuring a variety of artists playing different genres of music.

On Saturday, Mike Faast and the Fabulous Archtops Blues and Rhythm Band performs 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. They offer a dynamic blend of high energy blues, rockin’ oldies and Motown favorites.

Rabbit Wilde will follow, playing from 1-2:30 p.m. The quartet of string musicians offer bluegrass, folk-pop and Americana harmonies.

Alice Stuart will end the day, playing from 3-4:50 p.m. Alice teamed with Frank Zappa during the formation of The Mothers of Invention, played on the Dick Cavett Show with her band Alice and Snake, toured worldwide with Van Morrison, and recorded with Jerry Garcia, Elvin Bishop and Dave Mason.

On Sunday, Mike Faast and the Fabulous Archtops Blues and Rhythm Band again play from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Roy Kay Trio will follow, playing from 1-2:30 p.m., and will offer original foot-stomping rockabilly music. Alice Stuart will end the festival with a second performance 3-4:30 p.m.

Food court hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Vendors this year will offer an array of cuisine including hotdogs, burgers, fish and seafood options, Asian dining, kettle corn, ice cream, bbq, coffee, African gluten free options and wood fired pizza.

The Coupeville Chamber of Commerce volunteers will staff the beer and wine garden, located along the bluff near the Coupeville Wharf. The garden will feature beverages from Whidbey Island Winery and Flyers Restaurant and Brewery.

All money earned from the festival goes back into the community in three different ways: through grants, scholarships and community sponsorships. To date, the festival has given back $822,000 to the community.

In June, the association awarded four $2,000 scholarships to graduating Coupeville High School seniors.

Visitors to the festival will also see various partnerships at work.

The Coupeville chamber will earn money from running the beer garden, Coupeville Boys and Girls Club earns money by managing parking and Coupeville High School History Day program earns money by maintaining festival garbage.

New this year, the Coupeville High School Wolf Pack Drama Troupe will be leading childrens activities at the Coupeville Library.

Color your own T-shirt and a creation station are two of the most popular events. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Anyone interested in volunteering can find a volunteer application form at www.coupevillefestival.com