Afton is usually a quiet town, with people driving in and out of it going to and from. On the weekend of Sept. 28 and 29 that all changes when Afton hosts their annual art fair. Tents and smells of the vendors fill the park downtown.

Afton has been putting on Art in the Park for 35 years. This year there were over 75 vendors showing fine art, pottery, woodwork, jewelry and photography. There was also great food and live music throughout the weekend.

Many people from all over the St. Croix valley came to Art in the Park, but the fair meant the most to the locals.

“I live right across from the park, and it was really awesome to see all of the different vendors and people that come to our small town of Afton,” said sophomore Molly Gjerde.

The crowd attracted by the art fair drew was great business for the local shops and stores around Afton.

“Selma’s gets really great publicity from this event and people get to see the classic side of Afton,” said senior Megan Gjerde who works at Selma’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Although the fair is small, it is well known throughout the surrounding area and many of the vendors have been coming to the fair for many years.

“We have been coming to Art in the Park for five years, because it is quaint, and people don’t get lost and they always make it back to  your booth. Also the live music is always great,” said vendor Jody Reinardy.

One of the most interesting things about the fair is learning how the artists began.

“I got super interested in my ancestry and  I kept finding old photos of my family members, and I have always been a painter, so I got super interested in painting the old photos I found, and now people will give me old photos to paint for them, so I know the story behind many of these paintings,” said painter Chrissy Mount Kapp.

Each year the fair’s popularity grows with new and old vendors coming and going.  Art in the Park has lasted for 35 years, and hopefully it will continue for another 35 years.