Grayslake Arts Festival ready to shine

Grayslake's downtown will be crawling with artistic types Saturday, June 18.

That's when the 16th annual Grayslake Arts Festival will be held. The family extravaganza is free and will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but there is no rain date if the weather turns out to be rotten.

At least 70 juried artists are expected to participate. The artists from across the Midwest will display and sell their work representing a variety of media.

Selections will include pottery, watercolor, oil and pastel painting, pen and ink drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and jewelry. Cash prizes for “Best in Show” are awarded to participants in five media categories.

Local high school students also will be afforded an opportunity to exhibit their artwork. That part of the festival was added in 2008.

Despite the festival's name, there will be more than art on the day's agenda. Entertainment, children's activities and food vendors will be part of the mix.

The festival is organized by the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce under its contract with the village's Economic Development Commission.

Grayslake's main downtown is Center Street, west of Route 83.