With the plethora of summer arts fairs and festivals within an few hours’ travel from Kitsap, it’s quite feasible that a connoisseur could mark nearly every weekend from spring to fall with a different event.

In Kitsap alone you’ve got the Kitsap Arts and Crafts Fair in July, the Bainbridge Island Studio Tour and newly rendered Bainbridge Island Art Expo in August, the Blackberry Festival in September and an Art in the Woods Studio tour all the way into November. Look beyond throughout Puget Sound and the list goes on.

With that said, it seems there are few festivals with a more aesthetically artistic setting than the long standing Poulsbo Arts Festival — and that’s before the artists even begin setting up their work.

The festival’s former name — Arts on the Bay — really sums it up.

Like most, the Poulsbo Arts Festival is a collection of 30-40 different artist vendors, matched with a bit of music, concessions and kiddie entertainment. It is the backdrop of Liberty Bay and the Olympic Mountains on a sunny day matched with the within walking distance accessibility of Poulsbo’s quaint Norwegian Front Street District which sets it apart.

And while with this year’s meteorological track record, the Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest — the event’s organizing entity — is taking a chance on that “sunny day” aspect, the odds are in their favor.

Because the 27th annual Poulsbo festival has acrrued a third day. Paintings, photography, sculpture, music, food and fair will fill the waterfront in Liberty Bay Park from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“We try to fit something in for everybody and make it a real family outing for people who are looking for something to do on the weekend that’s constructive, entertaining and educational,” said Noelle Osborn, the CAFNW marketing chair.

More than just art for sale, the CAFNW is focused on making the festival an inclusive and interactive event with a slew of artist demonstrations scheduled (check near the CAFNW info booth for specifics near the park restrooms) as well as a corner devoted to kids’ creation.

Art students from Olympic College will be in that corner leading kids through various art projects and offering face painting and other fun schtick, while the fair’s collection of juried artists should provide a palatable slate of fine artwork ranging from realistic watercolor paintings to red cedar woodwork to shiny art you can wear around your neck.

“We keep the quality and distinctiveness up as much as possible,” Osborn said of the juried show. “We always have jewelry artists because that’s very popular with the ladies … but we try not to over indulge in any certain area so that it’s a good mix.”

Leah Wong — an artist from Liberty Lake who said she “discovered a passion for the creative process of jewelry making” — will be exhibiting her work influenced by her time spent in the Netherlands for example, while Art Dolmer — a retired artistic welder who strives to keep his curiosity in perspective — will have his deft Metal Works of Art on display as well.

And that’s just two out of 40 total artists who have been invited for the 27th annual Poulsbo Arts Festival.

Admission is free, however parking in downtown Poulsbo during the event which typically brings in upwards of 4,000 people may be a challenge.

For more information visit the Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest online at www.cafnw.org or call (360) 697-6342.