The fifth annual Arts in the Park festival will feature new attractions in addition to artwork people have come to know and love. Artwork from the Wright City R-II School District and other professional artists will be on display this Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, May 1, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Diekroeger Park in Wright City. Admission is free to the public. High school and middle school students will have their artwork judged by members of the Warren County Fine Arts Council. “We’ll have a ribbon prize for each of the four divisions,” said Patty Godier, Wright City Academy instructor. “The students actually sell a number of pieces, as well. People will be surprised at how good the student art is. “We’re going to display work from all of the Wright City (school) buildings,” she added. “If the artwork stays in the building, it doesn’t get much notoriety. Having it in the park makes it the focus of the event.” Saturday morning, professional sculptors Adam Long and Harry Weber will be assisting in a community sculpture project that will remain at Diekroeger Park following its completion. Weber has gained notoriety for his statues of famous St. Louis Cardinals players outside of Busch Stadium. Weber will also be bringing his work to display in the Wil Heiliger Activity Building. The festival will feature all types of art including physical activities and magic tricks. “We’re going to have a Taekwondo demonstration from United Martial Arts and a zumba instructor with her members will also be on stage,” said Curt Kehoe, director of the Wright City Parks Department. “It’ll be a busy day and a busy weekend. “Abra-Kid-Dabra will be there to show the kids magic tricks, the (Wright City) high school jazz band will be performing Saturday and Second Wind will be performing Sunday,” he added. “It’s not just visual art.” The community mural and quilt show are favorites of visitors. Wright City Academy students also are responsible for a substantial amount of event preparations. “When we have the carpenter come out to the park, we send the academy students over there and they learn how to work with the tools,” Kehoe said. “They have to put people in charge of the concession stand and figure out their own prices for items.” Academy students said they enjoy the challenge in preparing for the event. “It’s an awesome feeling to set up our artwork and share it with other people,” said senior Cherokee Cunningham. “It’s fun because we’re in charge.” “It takes us about a week to set up and plan how we’re going to do it,” said junior Jalysa Mozee. In the event of rain, Kehoe said the artwork would be moved inside. Organizers say the festival will provide fun and entertainment for all ages. “People can come out and socialize with their neighbors and be a part of the community,” Godier said. “It truly is a community event and all of the entertainment and crafts are free.”