ARLINGTON — The Arlington community will have the chance to celebrate the arts outdoors during the weekend of Sept. 8-9, as the Arlington Arts Council’s “Art in the Park” returns to Legion Park for the fifth year in a row.

Roberta Baker, who’s coordinating the art show, estimated that as many as 40 vendors’ fine arts and crafts will be up for sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, and Sunday, Sept. 9.

“Right now, it’s running neck-and-neck with the numbers of vendors we’ve had in previous years,” Baker said. “Although a few folks have had to drop out, we’ve found new ones to replace them, such a potter making their debut this year. Of course, old favorites like Brad Grinage’s pole furniture will be coming back too. We always love his stuff.”

Coinciding with the art show will be the Arlington Arts Council’s annual “Celebration of the Arts” summary of its accomplishments over the course of the past year, as well as the official dedication of the Sound Garden and the Big Bug Spider Bike Rack by Mike Nordine.

Also highlighted during the two-day event will be 20 new light-post banners, a fresh new mural painted by area teenagers on the backdrop at the Terrace Park stage, and a number of art projects for kids from the Arlington Street Fair, as well as concerts at the Linda M. Byrnes Performing Arts Center.

The Arlington Arts Council’s “Youth Engaged in Art” program will even offer a “Mural in a Day” painting project for kids of all ages over the course of that Saturday and Sunday.

Baker is pleased to present live music by returning regulars Paul Nyenhuis and Greg Parke, as well as newcomer Brendon Rotter of Marysville.

“Our goal for each year is to find new artists, including musicians, and expose them to a new audience,” Baker said. “I love putting this on and recruiting new people. It’s such a nice group that it makes it so much fun, which I hope we pass onto our customers.”

Among the other enticements during the weekend event will be two to three raffles a day on both days, as well as fresh Mexican food and kettle-korn.

“Art in the Park” is the third of the Arlington Arts Council’s three yearly art shows, and its 10th annual “Fall Into Art” auction will follow on Oct. 20. Baker noted that these events help keep the Arlington Arts Council going.

“Without our donors, we wouldn’t be able to produce these shows,” Baker said.

For more information, call Baker at 360-474-8576.