It’ not too late–come out and enjoy some local culture on Marietta Square this Labor Day Weekend.  Local artists will be present to display their wares, and some encourage interactive participation.

Smyrna artist Avril Gordon, owner of Exotiq Jewelry, said she began making jewelry in 1986, and she’s been involved with Marietta’s Art in the Park festival for nearly as long. The 23rd annual Labor Day weekend fine art extravaganza will be conducted Saturday through Monday.

“Art in the Park is a very nice, family friendly art festival. The festival has a lot going for it. It’s in a beautiful city, has an upbeat atmosphere and the art show festival directors know the ins and outs of a show. They are compassionate to the artists,” she said. “The festival really has something for everyone.”

Gordon will be one of 130 artists who will display their work at the festival. She described her jewelry as contemporary, adding that it is made from anodized aluminum. Her pieces range from $20 to $80.

“My jewelry is very bright and colorful. I live in vibrant color. My jewelry is modern art sculpture as wearable art. You could frame these pieces,” she said.

About 40,000 people are expected to attend Art in the Park this weekend. The fine arts/crafts festival will include a variety of artwork, from paintings and pottery to sculpture, woodwork and photography, said Carolyn Morris, executive director of Georgia Festival and Events Association.

New this year is the artist demonstration area, which will feature “The Library Dragon” illustrator Michael White on Saturday and Sunday, Morris said.

Theatre in the Square has teamed up with the Art in the Park to allow festivalgoers to meet the play’s cast and dragon on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. The play runs through Oct. 18 on Theatre in the Square’s Alley Stage.

Monday, artist Essud Fungcap will be at the festival with work from the Avisca Fine Art Gallery on Roswell Street.

In addition to featured artists, Art in the Park will also include the interactive Art Alley, which has free make-and-take art stations for youngsters to discover their inner artist.

The Marietta Cityscape Project, sponsored by Keep Marietta Beautiful, will be the featured station in Art Alley. Festivalgoers can help design a town using towel rolls, paper bags, construction paper and other recyclable materials. Marietta landmarks will be featured along with local businesses, and the project could be up to 10 feet by 40 feet when complete.

“With all the growth and development Marietta is experiencing, it is only fitting to feature Marietta 3D style,” said Joan Ellars, director of Keep Marietta Beautiful.

Gordon said it’s fun to watch the project develop during the festival.

“It grows over the years. Kids get to help create a city and it’s so cool to watch. They’re up to their elbows in paint and glitter,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see the relationship between the parents and kids and the opportunity to create.”

Art in the Park was selected by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events in September. Artists from 16 states will display and sell their wares at Glover Park for the festival.

Art in the Park runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Admission to the festival is free, and weekend parking is free in the Cherokee Street parking deck.

For more information, call the Marietta Welcome Center at (770) 429-1115.