A child paints during the October 2009 Edom Festival of the Arts. This year’s event is set for Oct. 16-17. File Photo Eighty artists are expected to feature their work during Edom’s Festival of the Arts in October, an event that attracted about 10,000 last year.

During the two-day event last October, about 75 artists --- 20 of them newcomers --- were featured and seven main acts performed.

“We don’t have the music schedule lined up yet,” event chairman Mary Wilhite said. “We have 80 artists scheduled this year, which is more than last year.”

The festival 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, and musicians must apply for auditions.

“The hamlet of Edom is known as the home of quality handmade art,” a press release said. “The festival continues to grow each year with new artists and performers. The popular, free kids art area returns.

“Here, children create paintings on canvass, to take home and display or to become part of the evolving exhibition on the grounds during the festival.”

Among the art forms to be featured Oct. 16-17 are pottery, jewelry, wood carving, painting, pencil drawings, pine needle art, weaving, metal work, photography, stained and fused glass, furniture making, and some mixed-media work.

This year, in addition to the traditional fair food of corny dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, barbeque sandwiches, Frito pies and funnel cakes, fresh ice cream, Cajun gumbo and New York style hot dogs will be available.

On Oct. 16, the event is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The following day, the hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival grounds are behind The Shed, at the intersection of Farm-to-Market Roads 279 and 314.

Visit edomfestivalofthearts. com for the music schedule, artist profiles and directions.