AUGUSTA, Ga. - Arts in The Heart returned to downtown Augusta, Friday, for its 41st annual installment.

The arts festival will feature a global food village with international food from 19 countries, 5 stages of performances, 140 fine artists booths and an interactive family area.

Audrey Burton, a new artist, is ecstatic she was elected to be a part of the festival. Burton recently retired and wanted to do something to stay busy, so she began crafting leather jewelry.

"I love seeing the different nationalities and all the food vendors and all the different arts and crafts that people have, people are so talented and it just amazed me what people come up with," Burton says.

The Greater Augusta Council anticipates attendance of 50,000 daily. As the festival continues to grow, they have their eyes on new ways to expand its footprint.

Erica Pastecki, co-manager of the family area says this years event will be packed full of things for the family like an immersive cultural experience for kids.

"They'll do the activity, they'll stamp the passport, they'll learn a fun fact about that culture," Pastecki says. "Then they get all done, they'll come back to the airport baggage claim and they'll cash it in for a little goodie bag."

The festival will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 6. Admission badges cost $15 and are good for the whole weekend.

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