Troy’s biggest downtown festival is just two weeks away.

More than 80 artists will be on the square in Troy with pottery, stained glass, paintings, photography, sculptures, furniture, clothing and other handcrafted items.

“We just really feel confident with the number of artists we are having,” said Morgan Drinkard, publicity chair for TroyFest. “Some have not been with us since the Jean Lake Festival. We are really excited about this year.”

And the TroyFest organizers have done their part to make sure only the best vendors come to Troy with the final artists chosen through a jury selection process.

This year, art lovers will be able to peruse folk art by locals Walley Lowery and Derek Rogers, as well as out-of-town artists such as Pike County favorite Charlie Lucas. Kim Deale is a TroyFest newcomer from Jemison and will exhibit and sell her photography with a distinctly Southern feel. Deborah Foster from Prattville will bring colorful sculptures to Troy and Russell Everett from Roanoke will supply sculptures crafted from natural items. 2012 Best in Show winner Walter Black will return with his pottery and Jerry Mitchell from Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. is also no stranger to TroyFest with his whimsical creations. If you have a blank space on your wall, Carol McCrady from Madison will be bringing paintings featuring religious inspiration and Janice Beck’s vividly colored scenes are sure to be a hit. Funky fashion jewelry from Elaine Howard of Dothan is only one jewelry booth to help liven up any outfit. There will also be decorative and functional crafts such as birdhouses, wind chimes and door hangers for homes by a variety of artists.

The quality of artists and entertainment brought to downtown Troy during TroyFest is incredible. You could travel for years trying to look for a festival of this caliber. We are lucky to have this festival so close to home.” Said Mack Gibson, chairman of the Board of Directors for the Troy-Pike Cultural Arts Center.

In addition to the artists, food vendors will line the streets offering the best local flavors and festival favorites. There will also be a kid’s corner with children’s activities, crafts, games and performances.

In connection with the art festival on April 27 and 28, TroyFest will introduce the Songwriters Festival to showcase local songwriters that will culminate with a concert featuring the Top 40 group Vertical Horizon that Saturday night.

“This addition to the TroyFest activities will continue to highlight artists, the main goal of the festival.” said Bart Culpepper, chair of the entertainment committee.

The festival hours are Saturday, April 27, from 9:00 until 5:00 and Sunday, April 28, from 10:00 until 4:00. Thanks to the generous supporters of TroyFest, all events throughout the weekend is free to the public.

TroyFest, a presentation of the City of Troy, Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Troy Arts Council, is held in honor of Jean Lake and is the premier art and craft festival in the central Alabama region. TroyFest draws upward of 10,000 people throughout the weekend. TroyFest is recognized by many art show review publications as a top emerging art show and by the Alabama Bureau of Travel and Tourism as a “Top 10 Event.”