STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The 27th annual Ketchum Arts Festival will feature a plethora of new artists among the hundred or so artists who will set up shop on the newly renamed Sun Valley Champions’ Meadow on Sun Valley Road Friday through Sunday.

“Getting new artists is always pretty exciting. At the same time, the success of the festival is shown by the number of artists who continue to participate in the festival and in the number of happy customers who have become like family to the vendors,” said Lisa Horton, who has co-organized the festival for years.

This year’s new artists include Michelle Jeannette Castillo, who makes unique handmade leather goods; Larissa Lolo DeHaas, a Ketchum pointillist who creates Idaho landscapes under the name Lolo Dot Dot; Lynne Hanson with her unique womenswear; Karine Kashen who creates block-printed home goods and clothing and Dru Shoemaker Scandinaro with her kiln-fired glass works.

There are a few teens in the mix, including Nicolo Lemer with his handmade charcuterie boards and tables, Ace and Dice Levy with their graphic novels and drawings, pen maker Steve Hagen, and Kalie Stier of Hailey, who creates watercolor greeting cards and stationary.

“A lot of the artists are from Blaine County, but we bring in other Idaho artists to spice things up,” she said.

Horton herself has started making simple pendants in bronze and silver shaped like five-petal flowers with gem stones set in the center.

“I think it has the potential to be one of those mother’s necklaces where you put birthstones in for different kids,” she said.

The Ketchum Arts Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 11-12 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 13.

There will be a free activity tent for the kids from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. And well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.

Food vendors on site will include Maui Wowie coffee and smoothies, La Parilla Tacos, South Valley Pizza and Totally Nutz, with its carmelized nuts. Bitterroot Botanicals will mix elderberry syrup, ice and fizzy water for a supergood, refreshing drink.

While parking is limited, it’s an easy stroll from Ketchum or Sun Valley on the bike path, and the free Blue Route Mountain Rides bus stops just east of the festival grounds on Sun Valley Road.

Road construction is halted on weekends, making it easy for those south of Ketchum to get to K-Town.

“The weather’s going to be great,” said Horton. “It’s going to be in the 80s Friday and Saturday and top out at 91 on Sunday.”