We are close to the kickoff of this year’s highly-anticipated 13th annual St. Johns River Festival of the Arts.

1. Nearly 55,000 visitors will take over the brick streets of Downtown Sanford on April 27 and 28.

2. About 150 local, regional and national artists set up Friday ahead of the festival, including Edward Sanderson, the 2024 St. Johns River Festival of the Arts poster artist.

3. His featured piece is called “Meet Me at Magnolia.” He said he was trying to capture the charm and beauty of a Sanford he describes as ever-evolving. “Most people get up and walk through it every day and take it for granted and never really stop and look,” he said. He hopes to play a small part in changing that.

4. The Festival also has art demos, a culinary arts food court, live music, pottery, and more. You don’t have to pay for parking or admission.

5. Two fine-art jurors will select their picks for the best pieces, and award $15,000 in prizes.