Photos by Statesman Managing Editor Paul Bryant EDOM - An estimated 10,000 people attended this town's two-day Festival of the Arts here Saturday and Sunday, prompting Chairman Mary Wilhite to call the event "just exceptional."

"It went great," she said. "It's hard to believe with a town this size. The music was really great this year, and the weather was perfect. "

More than 75 artists were featured of this year's festival - 20 of them newcomers. Seven main acts performed.

"The quality of the artists was just exceptional," Wilhite said. "I have great volunteers helping, so it made it run really smooth. I think they did fabulous. Some people told me it was the best show they ever had."

About 8,000 people turned out for last year's festival.

The event was started more than 30 years ago. It was temporarily moved to Tyler in the 1990s and then brought back to Edom in 2002 after the Edom Area Chamber of Commerce was created.

Artists are required to submit their work for review before they can enter the festival.

Musicians must apply for auditions.