With more than 40 new artists having confirmed their acceptance to TroyFest 2019, this year’s festival promises to be the premier fine art festival in the central Alabama region said Morgan Drinkard, who co-chairs TroyFest with her husband, Rob.

“With the increase in applications and the scope of talent, the jury process was difficult for this year’s art festival,” Drinkard said. “Being that the history of TroyFest is rooted in folk art, we are very excited about some returning and new folk artists this year. We will have amazing talent on the square in downtown Troy on TroyFest weekend.

Ninety-two artists have entered TroyFest 2019 on April 27 and 28 on the square in downtown Troy. However, that number is changing almost by the hour.

Ron Drinkard said, with the annual arts festival still a little more than two weeks away, he expects the number of artists to continue to climb.

“Already, we have a very representative number of artists with Troy and Pike County connections,” Drinkard said. “Mary Holman Johnson will come ‘home’ with her beautiful  jewelry and amazing photography.”

Johnson is the daughter of late Holman and Ethel Johnson, the namesakes of the Johnson Center for the Arts in Troy. She did the architectural designs for the JCA.

“We again welcome Charles and David Adams of Adams Glass. They are longtime supporters of TroyFest,” Drinkard said. “Michelle McLendon from Brundidge will be here with  her Purple Onion books and Mary and Donnie Johnson, also, from Brundidge make picture frames from a variety of woods.”

Drinkard said Steve Brown has come down from the ladder and is now painting on canvas,  not just on houses.

“Wendy Ward will be back with her woodcraft creations and Wally Lowery with his folk art,” Drinkard said. “They will join artists from all around the area in making TroyFest 2019 one of the best ever. We usually have around 10,000 people on Saturday and Sunday and, with good weather that is our expectation for this year.”

Drinkard said 12 food vendors have reserved spaces and that number, too, should increase.

TroyFest always has great entertainment and this year will be no exception.

On stage will be the Colley Senior Complex Dancers, the Troy University Jazz Band, First Baptist Church of Troy Choir, SheBANG! and several local bands.

Drinkard said TroyFest  features a great downtown setting, outstanding artists, great food, great entertainment and the fellowship of friends and neighbors.