More than 30,000 people attended last year’s Pink Palace Crafts Fair in Audubon Park, and that's a statement, says Ronda Cloud, about the level of artistry on display there.

“Every year, I remind people that this is a juried exhibition,” said Cloud, marketing director for the Pink Palace. “Artists send in their applications and each one gets voted on by the Friends of the Pink Palace. No one gets an automatic pass.”

Even with a discriminating selection process, the number of exhibitors continues to increase, making it one of the largest crafts fairs in the region.

Cloud said there are more than 205 artists at this, the 36th annual event, which raises funds for the Pink Palace.

Artwork ranges from sophisticated oil paintings, blown glass vases and ceramic sculptures to traditional folk crafts such as woven rugs and wood carvings.

Watching craftspeople make art is among the things that make it a family event.

“As the world gets more high-tech, life gets easier,” Cloud said. “But I also think many people have an itch to accomplish some things on their own. When I watch television at night, I knit and crochet. Traditional crafts have a personal stamp on them.”

Forty food vendors also will be at the fair, along with demonstrations and tastings of traditional foods, such as peanut brittle, country biscuits and apple butter.

Childrens’ activities include a rock-climbing wall. The stage features day-long entertainment.

Friday night, the fair will remain open one hour later than last year — until 7 p.m. Pets are not allowed into the park.

Cloud says that the Friends of the Pink Palace have raised more than $4 million for the Pink Palace since the inception of the fair.

— Christopher Blank: 529-2305

PINK PALACE CRAFTS FAIR

Thursday through Sunday in Audubon Park, off Perkins Ext. between Southern and Park.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $3 for children. A two day pass is $12.

Call 320-6320. Or visit artsandcraftsfestival.org.

EVENTS

Thursday:

10-10:30 a.m.: Tai Chi Memphis

10:30-11 a.m.: Hank & Nora

11-11:30 a.m.: Randle

Noon-12:30 p.m.: Take Note Singers

12:30-1:30: Valerie June

2-3: Delta Blue

3-4: storyteller T.J. McMichael

4-5: Hutchison School Choir

5-6: Hank & Nora

Friday:

10:30-11:30 a.m.: Southern Strings

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: CBHS Jazz Band

12:30-1 p.m.: Downtown Elementary Chorus

1-1:30 p.m.: Storyteller Lynnie Mirvis

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Traditional children’s music show

3-4 p.m.: Trey Jewell

4-5 p.m.: Double Shovel

5-6 p.m.: Josh Threlkeld

Saturday:

10-10:30 a.m.: Memphis Scottish Country Dancers

10:30-11 a.m.: Reel McCoy

11-11:30 a.m.: Contra Dancers

11:30-noon: Dance with Jasmine

1-2 p.m.: Inish Irish Dancers

2-3 p.m.: Incendio

3-4 p.m.: Tropix

4-5 p.m.: Delta Nomads

5-6 p.m.: Tucson Simpson

Sunday:

10-11 a.m.: Arlington Crossing

11 a.m.-noon: Shakti Global Fusion Belly Dance

Noon-1 p.m.: Sky King

1-2 p.m.: Storyteller T.J. McMichael

2-2:30 p.m.: Pyramid Dance Company

2:30-3 p.m.: Webb Dalton

3-5 p.m.: Hickory Withe