Charles Adams can remember the first arts and crafts show in Troy, but he had to scratch his head to remember exactly when.

“The early 1970s,” Adams said. “That’s the best that I can do. But it’s been a long time. Back when it was the Jean Lake Arts and Crafts Show, it was just that – an arts and crafts show. Today, TroyFest is vastly different. It’s a two-day show and it’s held in downtown Troy. There are so many different facets to it, and it’s a family affair. We have something for all ages — entertainment and games and activities for children and we have a lot of food vendors.

“This year, we’ve added a Film Festival. The show has really changed and grown over the years.”

Adams is a member of the TroyFest committee that plans, organizes, promotes and “oversees” the arts and crafts festival, and he is also one of the artists who choose TroyFest as a “must do” show each year.

“We have a good lineup of artists this year – about 60 of them – and we’ve got a lot of first-time TroyFest artists,” Adams said. “I’ve been impressed by Keith Newby of Dothan, who does watercolors of the South. I think a lot of people will also be impressed by his work. And, another new artist that will have people talking is Katie Fernandez from Enterprise. She paints on old suitcases. Kind of art nouveau. It’s really interesting.”

Adams also singled out Lynn Weatherford of Athens, who paints with broad strokes and a pallet knife, and John Warr of Scottsboro, whose Civil War and wildlife paintings are in great demand.

“Allison Bohorfoush, Birmingham, is an artist who hand-hammers and chisels copper jewelry and boxes,” he said.

“Her work is different in that it has a blacksmith look about it. And, Troy artist Walter Black has some of the most interesting and unusual pottery that I’ve seen.”

TroyFest will feature a wide variety of arts and crafts including paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry, stained glass, woodwork, garden furniture, kids art, graphics, folk art, wooden toys, pet portraits and metal work.

“It will be a good show and a lot of fun,” Adams said. “We invite everyone to come out one or both days and see what all TroyFest 2009 has to offer.”