The Octagon Center for the Arts will exhibit around 85 visual artists from several other states, which will include dance and music performances as well as food vendors.

The 51st Annual Octagon Art Festival will return along Main Street in Downtown Ames from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and inclusive to all ages. There will also be a youth activity area with face painting, balloon art and more.

The Octagon is still looking for 50 volunteers to sign up for a two-hour shift at the art festival. If interested, sign up here. To support artists and keep future festivals free, consider donating through this donation form.

The Octagon Center for the Arts is a non-profit community art organization that provides opportunities that hope to bring people together through art. They host the Octagon Art Festival and provide education classes, rotating exhibits and outreach programs. For more information about the festival and organization, visit their website.

Heather Johnson, the director at the Octagon Center for the Arts, described the festival as a big celebration of the arts, including visual, performance and culinary.

“They make such great gifts, whether for the upcoming holiday season or birthdays, it’s just something special about receiving something that’s actually homemade from an artist,” Johnson said.

Johnson recommends using public transportation, riding a bike or parking farther away to avoid traffic.

“It’s a great outdoor event and family-friendly,” Johnson said. “It’s a great way to see local people. It’s like a little community reunion.”