An estimated 7,000 art enthusiasts  from across the Mid-Atlantic region strolled the grounds at Long's Park, Sunday during the 32nd annual Art and Craft Festival.

The four-day show has become a Labor Day weekend tradition since its founding in 1979.

City residents Lisa White and Lowell Brown arrived at the park by bicycles.

"It's a perfect weekend," White said.  "I like seeing the work of artists from outside the area," she said.

The event showcases more than 200 top artists and craftspeople from the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

The festival has been ranked third  best fine art show in the country by Art Fair Source Book, a leading national rating organization.

"The artwork that we are seeing here is very well-crafted," Brown said.

Organizers said the show is designed with the local community in mind.

"Profits from the festival allow us to provide different types of music during the 13-week summer music series," said Diane Moore, festival director. 

"We are also helping the economy in Lancaster by bringing in so many people from outside of the area," Moore said.

Attendance figures are right on target with what coordinators had expected, according to Moore.

"Our numbers have not been finalized yet, with one more day left of the show, but it is about 16,000 so far," she said Sunday.

This year, approximately 350 volunteers enabled the organizers to produce the show.

"I like to volunteer when I can, and this was a great opportunity," said Ed Nesbit of Lancaster.

Nesbit worked with the Long's Park Amphitheater Foundation during the summer music series. 

"This is very exciting and interesting," he said. "I love the artwork."

Each day of the festival guests are treated to a daily "guest bonus" opportunity.

This year's ARTful offerings looked at container gardening, floral design, fashion and culinary arts.

Today, the culinary arts will showcase an "ARTisan cheese" tasting demonstration, presented by Howard Field of Farm Fromage.

The interactive experience will be held at 2 p.m. within the festival area.

"I think this is one of the best shows around," said artist Armand Scavo, of Philadelphia.

Scavo said he had a pretty successful weekend, having sold several pieces.

"I'm very happy," Scavo said. "Besides, you can't beat the atmosphere, the location and the way they treat the artists is great," he said.

The show also offers an array of food from some of the region's finest restaurants and caterers, live music and a children's corner, co-sponsored by Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

The show continues today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Tickets are available at the park for $10.

The Long's Park Art & Craft Festival is sponsored by the Long's Park Amphitheater Foundation.

ebetancourt@lnpnews.com