Augusta's Arts in the Heart Festival 2007

It's time once again for the annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta festival, a cultural tradition that consistently delights Augustans and visitors alike. If you are traveling to Augusta, Ga., the weekend of Sept. 14, this is a great place to take your kids, your neighbor's kids, your date -- or even just enjoy a few leisurely hours on your own. The crowd that enjoys Arts in the Heart is a diverse one, with regard to age, race and family situation.

The arts and crafts booths are a great place to spend time while you're waiting for a performance you want to see, or if you are looking for a great souvenir for a friend or loved one who couldn't come with you. We're talking literally dozens of artists and crafters -- about six dozen -- with about 80 booths of everything from glasswork to paintings. One year, there was even a vendor selling exotic, glass-encased butterflies and other insects.

Patrons who enjoy both art and extreme sports may enjoy art as an extreme sport in the form of Art45. Local artists will be painting for 45 hours straight in the Augusta Common downtown park.

Patrons who love trying new foods will love the International Food Bazaar. Augusta has a rather substantial Indian community and a fabulous restaurant called Bombay Central, which usually makes a substantial contribution. There is usually a Pakistani tent as well, an African-American tent (sometimes offering African peanut soup), a Scottish tent, an Irish tent (both with whiskey cake) and several more.

There are always several great beers to try as well. The Arts in the Heart festival is where I discovered my favorite Mexican beer, Negra Modelo. This year, however, there will be a Southern Beer Garden, at which patrons can try regional beers.

There's a children's area with plenty of activities and performances for the kids as well. In the past, there have been arts and crafts from around the world and playhouses and all sorts of things. Even ponies. This year, there will be a Children's Craft Market, featuring artwork by children 14 and under, and a Saturday Carriage Horse Parade on Broad Street, which will delight children of all ages.

Arts in the Heart will take place in Augusta, Ga., Sept. 14-16: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and noon-7 p.m. Sunday. For more information visit the Arts in the Heart website.