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National City and Woodford Reserve, another fine product by Brown-Forman present the 2007 Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival at Midway College, beginning this Saturday at 10:00 am, with banners lining the streets of Midway (sponsored by Community Trust & Investment) and a performance by the Lexington Saxophone Trio in the College’s amphitheatre. The music, sponsored by OSRAM Sylvania, continues all weekend, complimented by a full schedule of artist demonstrations from blacksmithing to watercolors. 

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This fine art and craft festival features 140 artists from 14 states.  Once a dream of the Social and Cultural Committee of Midway Renaissance, it has grown into an award-winning event with a national reputation. AmericanStyle Magazine names the festival among the nation’s ‘Top 10’, the Southeast Tourism Society calls it a ‘Top 20 Event’ for June, and the Kentucky Tourism Council includes the festival among its ‘Top Ten Events’ for the summer.

Francisco’s Gallery, sponsored by Nancy Barron & Associates, features Lexington artist Dan Neil Barnes, creator of the 2006 Governor’s Awards in the Arts.  The public is invited to Barnes’ gallery talk on Saturday at 5:30pm, just after the close of the festival.  Barnes and Gwen Heffner of Berea are jurors for the Artist Awards, sponsored by United Bank & Trust.

Children’s art activities will be provided by YMCA Arts of Central Kentucky, while adults are encouraged to explore their own creativity through participation in a 100% passer-by created painting guided by citizensCREATE! of Lexington.  Artique gallery, a Founding Partner, continues their annual ‘Pop Art’ exhibit, this year featuring fine furniture by G. Keener & Company of New Carlisle, Ohio.

Everyone who has been exposed to the festival attributes the quality of the event to the incredible participation of the citizens and friends of Midway. Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival is a not-for-profit production of Midway Renaissance, Midway College, and the City of Midway. Gray Construction, the event’s charter sponsor, continues to generously support the event.  Festival transportation is supported by Freedman Harness.

Festival media partners are WUKY Radio and the Lexington Herald-Leader. Founding Partners Holly Hill Inn and Wallace Station provide the Artists’ Reception Picnic on Friday evening.

Festival hours – 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday

$5 parking – Saturday visitors return on Sunday free

More information at www.franciscosfarm.org or 859-846-4049