As the Columbia Festival of the Arts turns 21 and prepares to raise the roofs of indoor venues throughout Howard County, organizers of the festival's free outdoor LakeFest Weekend are unpacking the welcome wagons.

The festival's bigger names are typically "ticketed events," but the outdoor events planned for June 13-15 will give visitors a chance to mingle with artists, artisans and lots of other attendees in what has always been the festival's primary mission.

"The whole reason we put so much emphasis on the opening three-day LakeFest weekend," says executive director Nichole Hickey, "is because that is really the main element of what we do. The mission states that we're an annual celebration of the arts that builds community through shared participation."

Live acts will be showcased all three days on three stages. Music on the LakeStage will open Friday, June 13 with the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours (5 p.m.), Luke Brindley (6:20 p.m.), Chopteeth (7:40 p.m.) and Ryan Shaw (9:10 p.m.). The latter is a Grammy Award winner who mightily impressed Hickey.

"I heard his music and frankly, as a Baby Boomer, it takes me back to the golden age of rhythm and blues," Hickey says. "He's just got it -- Wilson Pickett and that whole era."

The LakeStage music continues Saturday, June 14, with Nelly's Echo (noon), Bob Sima (1:45 p.m.), the Yamomanem Jazz Band (3:20 p.m.), Shane Gamble and the Gentlemen (4:50 p.m.), James Mabry (6:10 p.m.), the Grandsons (7:40 p.m.), and Grupo Fantasma (9:10 p.m.). Sunday's acts include Alegria (1 p.m.), Reverb (2:20 p.m.), Chaise Lounge (3:50 p.m.), and the Glenelg Jazz Ensemble with Deanna Bogart (5:30 p.m.).

LakeFest will showcase local acts on a second stage called the Frog Jumpin' Jam Acoustic Stage. Saturday's acts there include Rick & Audrey Engdahl (noon), the Black Cherry Puppet Theater (1:15 p.m.), Eric Maring (2:15 p.m.), the Black Cherry Puppet Theater (3:30 p.m.), Alden Phelps (4:45 p.m.) and Mister Don (6 p.m.). On Sunday there will be a singer-songwriter spotlight featuring Karyn Oliver (1 p.m.), David Glaser (2:15 p.m.), Laura Brino (3:30 p.m.), Paul Iwanico (4:45 p.m.) and Mike Holden (6 p.m.).

If you plan on bringing the kids, go Sunday, when the Lily Pad Family Stage gets up to speed with the interactive face-painting story "The Butterfly" (1 p.m.) and continues with comic juggler Michael Rosman (2:20 and 4:20 p.m.). Another interactive story, "The 3 Bees of Life" will happen at 3 p.m.

Art for all

There will also be several art exhibits at this year's festival. "Taking Flight with the Arts" brings together artists and nature lovers who created individualized birdhouses that will get unveiled at LakeFest June 13 and be available for sale beginning June 14. The exhibit came out of a partnership between the Howard County Woodworker's Guild and the festival to address the decline of the native bird population.

"ArtWorks - A Fine Art Exhibit" will display the works of local artists and the winners of the festival's annual student poster contest. It can be seen at the American City Building. The Lakeside Café & Deli will also display the K-12 Poster Contest Best of Grade winners June 16-28 during normal business hours and June 13-15 during extended hours.

The Columbia Archives will feature a conversation with artist Gary Kubicek Saturday, June 14 at 4 p.m. on "Views of a Vision: A Jim Rouse & Frank Gehry Collaboration."

The festival will also present a fine arts and crafts sale called ArtPark, which will feature some 60 invited artists selling unique wares. The ArtPark can be found at the lower deck within the covered garage at 10200 Wincopin Circle Saturday, June 14, noon-7 p.m. and Sunday, June 15, 1-7 p.m. More artisans can be found outdoors Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday noon-9 p.m., and Sunday 1-7 p.m.

"I think what we strive to do every year is to really have something there in a broad range of prices," Hickey says of the popular ArtPark. "Anyone can find something they can afford to purchase - from jewelry to fine art."

Both kids and adults will be able to create original pieces of street art at the annual Chalk-It-Up Contest June 14, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and June 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cash prizes of $750, $500 and $200 will be given out; the registration fee will be $12 (and includes a set of pastels).

Family fun

A new, Father's Day-oriented event called "Rally to the Arts -- A Fun Family Father's Day Adventure" will take place Sunday, June 15, starting between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at co-sponsors British American Auto Care (9577 Berger Road, in Columbia).

The rally will let dads and kids win prizes by navigating a road rally with clues leading to different "visual arts" destinations en route. The final stop will be the Columbia Town Center Lakefront, where participants will report to the Road Rally booth, points will be tallied and winners announced.

"It's a way for people to discover something about the arts in different locations in Howard County," Hickey says. "We've got trophies and awards we'll be giving out from the main stage (to the winners)."

Registration is $10 in advance, $20 for on-site registration. Drivers are required to be accompanied by a navigator and must adhere to posted speed limits.

The fifth annual Kinetic Art Parade is planned for June 14 starting at 11 a.m. As in years past, the race will showcase movable works of art. Prizes will be awarded for most creative creations. The fifth annual Howard County Boat Float follows that Saturday at 1 p.m. This event is a cardboard boat regatta. To register, call 410-740-9809.

PuddlePushers Kids Arts & Crafts sessions take place June 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m., June 14, 12:30-7:30 p.m., and Sunday, June 15, 1:30-6:30 p.m. For this event, kids can explore fine arts with hands-on activities. It will take place in a tent adjacent to the American City Building (onsite registration is suggested as space is limited). Parents must accompany their children.

For more details or to register for any of the above events, call 410-715-3044 or go to www.columbiafestival.com.

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