Over 200 artists in every medium ranging from jewelry to oil and watercolor fine arts will descend upon Covington this weekend for the Three Rivers Art Festival downtown.

The annual art display and sale has traditionally provided an economic boost to Covington and the west St. Tammany area, bringing artists in from across the nation. Last year, the attendance record of 50,000 was broken and this year, weather permitting, the festival will once again attract early Christmas shoppers who want unique gifts.

The juried show will feature tents displaying artists’ wares along North Columbia Street in downtown Covington, a historic district and cultural arts district. In addition to the artwork, there will also be music, food and art demonstrations from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. This year there will be a larger offering for the younger set with a Children’s Performing Stage in the Children’s Discovery Area on the corner of North Columbia Street and East Kirkland Street as well as free hands-on art activities for children. Grants from the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the St. Tammany Arts Commission will partially fund the Children’s Discovery Area.

In addition, student art work from across St. Tammany parish will be displayed in the Junior League of Greater Covington Dogwood House across the street from the Children’s Discovery Area.

A mix of returning and new artists will demonstrate the creation of their art works as well as selling them. Each artist at the festival must apply and acceptance in the festival is judged on creativity, originality, quality and professionalism. In addition, a mix of mediums is desired in order to provide a variety of artworks at the show. Only prints created by the displaying artist are allowed.

The purpose of the festival is to expand and enhance Covington’s reputation as an arts center for both artists and art connoisseurs, to support Covington tourism and to support art education for St. Tammany Parish children.