TroyFest 2015 promises to, once again, be one of the top-rated arts and crafts festivals in the hinterlands of South Alabama.

The annual juried arts and crafts show is set for April 25 and 26 on the square in downtown Troy. The show is held in memory of Troy folk artist Jean Lake.

TroyFest will bring back many of the artists who have given the annual festival the outstanding reputation that it enjoys and will also welcome newcomers to the Troy arts and crafts festival.

Morgan Drinkard, TroyFest publicity chair, said the juried arts and crafts show is held rain or shine.

“Our hopes are that all of the rain will have moved out by festival time but the show will go on as planned,” she said.

TroyFest will be from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

More than 70 artists and craftsmen are registered for the 13th annual TroyFest.

Local artists are the backbone of the festival and many of them return year after year.

Pike County glass artist Charles Adams has been with the Troy arts and crafts show since 1971 when it was the Jean Lake Festival.

“This is the 13th year as TroyFest and, over the years, it has continued to be one of the best arts and crafts shows around,” Adams said. “The downtown location has worked really well. It brings a lot of people to the square and introduces them to all that downtown Troy as to offer. The annual student art exhibit is displayed at the Johnson Center during TroyFest and that’s a great addition to the festival.”

Adams said he looks forward to TroyFest each year because so many local people come out along with visitors to the city.

“And we have so many good artists to participate,” he said. “A lot of the originals like John Warr and Bill Hill join new comers like Wesley Dallas Emerritt from Indiana. He is an incredible watercolorist. He does some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. His paintings are so real that it’s like you can reach out and touch them.”

Drinkard said, too, that local artists continue to play a huge role in the success of the show.

“Charles, of course, and folk artist Doug Hawkins, Dwight Ward with his birdhouses and Rex Thrash with his birdhouses and walking sticks are among those we count on being with us every year,” she said. “We are excited to have a large group of new artists at this year’s TroyFest. Suzan Buckner is a celebrated folk artist from Woodville. Dawn Preitz of Old River Run Pottery will be back. She has been with us before and people really love her pottery.

“Kelly Olszyk, the Best of Show winner from last year’s TroyFest, will be here. Don Stewart, whose ballpoint pens drawings are as much fun as they are amazing, will be back in Troy.”

Drinkard said TroyFest will feature a lot of jewelry, including that of noted jewelry artist Kristen Hughes.

“Talmadge Butler will be back with his wood furniture and Robert McBroom will be here with his functional traditional crafts,” she said. “There are so many great artists and craftsmen coming. It will be a fun and exciting weekend.”

The entertainment will be nonstop at the Gazebo on the square and on the festival stage.

“At the Gazebo, we’ll feature acoustic music and, on stage, several groups from the Charles Henderson High School will perform on Saturday, including the jazz bands. Students in CHHS the drama department will perform several scenes from the production of “Band Geeks.”

“On Sunday, the entertainment will be mainly gospel. First Baptist Church’s Celebration Choir will be on stage and In His Step will also perform.”

The Kids’ Corner will be different this year in that all of the activities will be art related.

“All of the activities will be arts and crafts and a lot of fun for the children,” Drinkard said. “The First Baptist Church Puppet Show will be special entertainment at the Kids Corner.”

As always, TroyFest will include a food fest of all the traditional festival foods. From hotdogs to funnel cakes and from blooming onions to sweet tea, there will be something for every taste bud that comes around the square.

“We have some great restaurants on the square that offer a wide variety of good things to eat,” Drinkard said. “Many of the shops will also be open. So, there will be a lot to do and see at TroyFest April 25 and 26. Admission is free and everyone is invited.