Make this Saturday, Aug. 25, a day of culture and fun for the whole family, as some of the county’s finest crafters and musicians accumulate in the Rohnert Park Community Center Complex for the second annual Rohnert Park Arts and Music Festival.

The vast array of entertainment goes from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

There will be more than 60 artists and crafters, a children’s play area and craft table and a plethora of food vendors including Mary’s Pizza, El Torito, Uncle Bill’s Gourmet Corndogs and Dad and Son’s BBQ.

Rohnert Park never has been a bastion for live music or festivals, as cities such as Cotati, Santa Rosa and Sebastopol have long had richer traditions because they have more ample outlets for live music and because their festivals – Cotati’s Accordion and Jazz, and Sebastopol’s Cajun and Apple Blossom – have been around longer. The only consistent place for live music in RP is Quincy’s Pub and Café. But Rohnert Park has been catching up as of late as this festival appears to be gaining strength each year. Also, the Friday Night Farmers Market features a live musical performance each week.

“People came by to check it out last year,” says Guy Miller, manager of the city’s Recreation Department. “They were quite surprised to see what we had to offer.”

What began as the Summer Craft Fair and the Rock N’ Blues Festival has now merged into one big event featuring a cross section of genres from bluegrass, rock and reggae to perfectly exemplify the multitude of traditions in Rohnert Park.

With no admittance fee, it is guaranteed to be an afternoon to enjoy the sounds and tastes the city has to present.

The band lineup includes: The Moonlighters, The Mad Maggies, The Eight Belles, John Courage and the Great Plains, Hand Me Down and Midnight Sun Massive who will be performing on the back lawn all afternoon amid displays by local artists and the smells of fresh food.

Children will be forever occupied by their own crafts table, balloon animals, face painting and jump houses while a variety of beer and wine is available for adults.

Grab a friend and head down to the Rohnert Park Community Center off Snyder Lane this weekend for a low-cost relaxing day filled with music and art.