TroyFest 2012 is shaping up to be the best ever.

That might be a cliché but there’s just no other way to say it.

Rob Drinkard, TroyFest committee chair, said 83 of the area’s top artists and craftsmen will be featured along with top entertainment, kids activities and every kind of festival food imaginable at the weekend festival, April 28 and 29 in downtown Troy.

“We have back many of TroyFest’s favorite artists and craftsmen and some who will be at TroyFest for the first time,” Drinkard said.

“A lot of the artists encourage their friends to come to TroyFest and we always look forward to having new artists and craftsmen.”

Birmingham folk artist She-She will teach Troy Elementary School and Pike Liberal Arts students about mural painting on Friday.

The murals will be based on Alabama foods in conjunction with the state’s Year of Alabama Food tourism promotion, Drinkard said. “We’ll have a good mix of paintings, pottery, woodworking and folk art,” Drinkard said. “There will be something for everybody.”

TroyFest is known for its outstanding entertainment throughout the festival. The Bailey Mountain Cloggers from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C., will be the featured entertainment on the Troy Cable Entertainment Stage on Saturday.

“The Bailey Mountain Cloggers will perform twice on Saturday,” Drinkard said. “They are six-time national champions and we are excited to have them.”

The Messenger’s Kids Corner will the feature Water Wobbles, games and activities for the youngsters.

“First Baptist Church will entertain with its puppet ministry,” Drinkard said. “Big Brothers Big Sisters will offer fun with Jumpies and the train will be running.

“So there will be a lot for the kids to do and enjoy.”

Barnes & Noble will have tie-dyed T-shirts and Barb on Mulberry will teach art classes.

“In the Community Corner, we’ll have 13 non-profit and service organization booths,” Drinkard said. “These will not be sales booths. They will provide information of interest and some will have freebies to raise awareness of the opportunities or services they provide.

A festival is not a festival without food vendors and TroyFest has a wide variety of festival foods from hotdogs and burgers to funnel cakes and roasted corn.

“There is no admission to TroyFest and we invite everyone to come out and enjoy a weekend of family fun April 28 and 29 in downtown Troy,” Drinkard said.