The 39th Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival is set for Aug. 10-11 in Coupeville. There will be shopping, art demonstrations, live entertainment, great food, and children’s activities on the waterfront of Coupeville. This is is the oldest arts and crafts fair in the state and features 200 of the Northwest arts and crafts vendors, including pottery, jewelry, photography, sculpture, metalwork, blown glass, painting, leather goods, musical instruments and hand-crafted furniture.

Exhibit hours are Saturday Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Juried gallery preview and wine tasting (over 21, admission fee) is Friday, Aug. 9, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Some artists participate in a special program to provide a closer look at their techniques by working and discussing their chosen media. These demonstrations are popular with children and adults. Artists in Action this year include: Betty Jane Miller of Coupeville – Sumi painting; Joseph Albert III of Clinton – woodcarving; Roger Leonhardi of Oak Harbor – waterfowl carver; Larry Williams of Anacortes Mary Alice Sterling of Coupeville – art baskets; Marge Newell of Coupeville – wood carver; Rainy Lindell of Coupeville – landscape painting; Jim Simpson of Oak Harbor- portrait artist; Sue Martell of Greenbank – floral watercolors. The children’s crafts area offer materials and guidance to make items like wooden picture frames, garlands, and decorative wands. Face painting is a fun way any kid can become a work of art. For those whose parents buy a souvenir Festival T-shirt, this is a great opportunity to decorate it. At the creation station, children use their imaginations to construct original art from a grab bag of materials.

In addition to local cafes, taverns and restaurants, the festival will include plenty of outdoor food vendors. The selection will include strawberry shortcake, grilled chicken, tacos, burritos, gyros, crepes, elephant ears, Thai food, hamburgers, corndogs, hot dogs, kettle corn, ice cream, caramel apples, frozen bananas, wrap sandwiches, BBQ pork, baked beans, slaw and pizza.

Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival Association is a non-profit, all volunteer organization. All proceeds of festival further the arts and preserving and enhancing the character of central Whidbey Island.

Last year, the association donated $31,000 to community activities.

Festival’s schedule at a glance

Art gallery preview and wine tasting: Aug. 9, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Coupeville Recreation Hall, Coveland and Alexander. $10 advance, $14 at the door

Art gallery: Aug. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 P.M. Coupeville Recreation Hall, Coveland and Alexander.

Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival: Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 5. on Coupeville’s waterfront.

Artists in Action: Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Coveland and Grace Streets.

Entertainment: Saturday, Aug.10, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, 11 a.m. to 5. For more on the entertainment, read “Standing Room Only” at the left of this page.

Kids crafts: Saturday 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. behind Coupeville Library.