Patrons began turning out for the Oakwood Fine Arts Festival just as the weather changed for the better.

SYRACUSE — Early morning rain didn’t deter many of the artists who are participating in the Oakwood Fine Arts Festival, taking place today, Saturday, Aug. 25. The festival goes on until 3 p.m.

Tammy Cotton, executive director of Chautauqua-Wawasee, said 24 artists were expected with 22 showing up. “The goal is to have about 30 artists,” she said. “The ones setting up this morning were troopers.”

Several of the artists set up their tents last night and were ready to go when the festival opened around 10 a.m. Cotton said the festival started a bit late due to the weather, but “at 10 a.m. we had patrons comings. It’s been good to see people still coming out.”

Clay Artist Elizabeth Wamsley said, “It’s been a wild day.” She put a packing blanket down in front of her booth, covering a large mud puddle, while the artist next to her said he had water flowing through his booth earlier in the day.

Carol Koble and Elizabeth Wamsley chat in Wamsley’s booth.

Along with a wide variety of art, patrons enjoyed live music and refreshments from local food trucks.

The Kosciusko County Community Foundation had a children’s art station called the Lil Philanthropist Art Booth. There children ages four and up can create a piece of art with the intention of giving it away.

Maya Parent paints a trinket box at the Lil Philanthropist booth at the Oakwood Fine Arts Fest. (Photo by Lauren Zeugner)

The festival is located on the lawn in front of the Event Center at Oakwood Park and admission is free.