Crowds take in some art in the sun in Glen Ellyn

Lynn Vogelsinger walked down the path winding through Lake Ellyn Park, past sculptures, paintings, photographs, jewelry displays and drawings, led by her tiny gray Tibetan terrier, Cody.

"I have people here that recognize me by my dog," she said, smiling, as she paused Saturday to reveal the treasures she had already collected.

Vogelsinger and several hundred other art lovers converged on the park next to Lake Ellyn for the Glen Ellyn Festival of the Arts, a juried event that features more than 50 artists, storytellers and musicians.

The arts festival, which continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, is presented by the Glen Ellyn Lions Club in partnership with the Community Bank of Wheaton/Glen Ellyn.

Reaching into a small bag marked "Earthborn Jewelry Company," Vogelsinger pulled out a magnetized necklace with two stones: one a pea-soup-colored teardrop made of amazonite, the other a reddish brown stone known as carnelian.

"She did a nice job, and her prices are reasonable," said Vogelsinger of artist Tracey Hanlin Rohr, who hails from Springfield, Ohio. Vogelsinger also purchased a pair of amazonite earrings from Hanlin Rohr.

Vogelsinger said she often attends the annual arts festival at Lake Ellyn.

"I try to. If I'm in town, I do," she said. "It's a delightful event, and it's good to see participation in Glen Ellyn."

As artists chatted with customers, shielded by tents from the broiling sun, a crowd gathered in the grass, along picnic tables and under shady oaks to listen to a live performance by Anima, a group of youthful choristers formerly known as the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus.

Carole Tobin and her husband, Jack, walked a short distance from their downtown residence to watch their 12-year-old daughter Elizabeth perform with the group.

Tobin said she was just recently informed that Anima will perform this fall with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

"They've got stuff going constantly," she said, adding that she's pleased her daughter, one of three Tobin children who are all involved in musical endeavors, gets to pursue her passion with such an accomplished group.

After a contingent from Anima finished a song they learned on a trip to South Africa, Tobin said she recognized the next piece as one from an opera.

"I love hearing it," she said.

While the musical performances Saturday were billed as "eclectic," ranging from bagpipes to a string band to Balkan music, Sunday's musical lineup is heavy on jazz. Performers are to include Grasslands Gypsy Jazz Swing Trio; Tammy McCann Quartet; Scott Earl Holman Trio with Larry Gray and Paul Wertico; and Soul Bop Organ Trio.