SACO — The Saco Main Street Sidewalk Festival returns this Saturday to the downtown from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

“This is the 47th year. It’s been going a long time,” said Rob Biggs, executive director of Saco Main Street, the local economic development group that’s sponsoring the event. 

Biggs said there will be 78 artists at the show, which is an increase from last year’s showing of 62 artists, and there are a number of vendors who have never shown their work at the Saco festival.

Biggs is enthusiastic about growing the festival, which has become a local tradition, and increasing its vibrancy.

The festival will include a wide range of art work  including paintings, jewelry, photography and sculpture.

“The whole gamut,” said Biggs.

Main Street will be blocked to vehicles from Pepperell Square to Thornton Avenue to allow for artists to set up booths and pedestrian traffic.

There will a number of non-profits selling food in the parking lot next to Gorham Bike and Ski. The festival will also feature live music with performances by Bob Costigan from 10 a.m. to noon and The

Acoustics from 1 to 3 p.m. near the gazebo next to Vic and Whit’s sandwich shop. 

There will also be craft tables with activities for children.

Biggs said last year’s festival received positive feedback. He’s hoping for a good turnout and good weather, and encourages all to stop by the festival, take a walk around the downtown and check out the artists.

“It’s going to be a beautiful day in sunny Saco,” said Biggs.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.