The annual Alki Art Fair this weekend will open at 10:00am on Saturday July 24 showing paintings, sculptures, photographs, metal fabrications, and many crafts from 72 artists. The fair continues on Sunday the 25th.

While many are local West Seattle artists some have made a trek to get here coming from Steilacoom, Kent, Duvall, Whidbey Island, Bellingham and even Austin, Texas. The event will also offer live music and a variety of fun food from Barbecue to hot dogs, kettle corn to shave ice and cotton candy.

The music at the fair will range from Rhythm and Blues to Rock n' Roll and even some children's music. There will be a children's arts and crafts booth and an inflatable ride for fun. Download a printable lineup for both days at the link above.

A silent auction is also part of the event. " We have restaurant gift certificates, hotel certificates, fast food gifts and many of the artists are donating a piece of their work," said Mary Pat Byington Assistant Recreation Coordinator.

The Alki Art Fair is a fundraiser; which provides scholarships to students of all ages for art classes offered through the Alki Community Center and Alki Bathhouse Art Studio. During the fair they also sell T-shirts, and all the profits go to fund these scholarships.

The T-shirt design this year is by local West Seattle artist Stacey Sterling who painted a water color whale design.

The Alki Art Fair features only original hand made art, no reproductions.

This year's fair is slightly smaller than in years past, "Probably due to the economy," Byington said.