Perusing the books at last year's book sale during the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts are Justine Lanning and her sister Meighan. The Saxonburg Library will again have the used book sale, but this time in the activity room accessed behind the library. The festival Saturday and Sunday takes place at various sites around downtown Saxonburg.

SAXONBURG — The 23rd Saxonburg Festival of the Arts will be held Saturday and Sunday on Main Street and in Roebling Park.

Organized by the Saxonburg Historical and Restoration Commission, the two-day festival includes hundreds of art displays, a 5K race and walk, a variety of food and craft stands, a spaghetti dinner held at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company hall, a car show, live artist demonstrations and activities for children.

"It is now one of the only remaining art shows north of Pittsburgh," said Clarence Anderson, the treasurer of the Saxonburg Historical and Restoration Commission.

The annual 5K race will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. The Hospitality Center, as well as craft booths on Main Street, in Roebling Park and in Cooper Hall in the park, will open at 10 a.m. The main art exhibits, including fine art, photography and ikebana Japanese flower art exhibits, will open at 11 a.m. in Saxonburg Memorial Church.

Re-opening Sunday at noon, Anderson said festival organizers like to avoid interfering with the local church services.

With last year's display featuring 374 art entries and 186 photography entries, Stan Walchesky, chairman of the fine arts show at the festival, said more than 250 entries of fine arts have already been received, with those artists being able to submit up to six entries each.

As one of the only art shows in the area, Walchesky said they receive art entries from both professionals and students from "a good 50-mile radius," including places such as Ohio, the south of Pittsburgh and Beaver County.

The Saxonburg Festival's featured artist for 2008 is Don Wonderling, an oil and acrylic artist who was chosen by Walchesky at last year's festival. Wonderling will have 30 to 40 pieces displayed, Walchesky said.

A number of cash awards are given out at the festival, including top winners in each category, as well as "best of show" and "theme award," based around the this year's festival theme of water.

Photos are judged in the categories of scenic, domestic animals, wildlife, people, black and white, open and youth.

Fine art is judged in the categories of oil and acrylic, watercolor and other media, including art forms such as sculpture, pencil and pastel.

For more information, call 724-352-1400.