NEW BUFFALO, Mich. — New Buffalo is ready to kick off its summer celebration with its fourth annual ARTigras Festival in Lions Beachfront Park.

Organized and sponsored by the New Buffalo Business Association and Pokagon Fund, the arts and crafts festival is scheduled June 27-28, and offers original works from over 70 artists from Harbor Country and the Midwest region. Items showcased will include paintings, sculpture, glass, photography, drawings, jewelry, wood, ceramics, mixed media, and furniture.

Traditionally held in downtown New Buffalo, the 2015 venue of Lions Park marks a shifting approach in the local festivity.

Cathi Rogers, executive director of NBBA, said she felt the new location would better accommodate this year’s new plans for art-celebration and enthusiastic attraction.

“We felt if we wanted to offer live music, food, wine and beer…it would be easier,” Rogers said.

The past location won’t completely miss the creative activity; ARTigras is introducing new child-focused and family-friendly events, the most notable headliner “Chalk the Walk” literally taking to the streets of downtown New Buffalo.

Children ages 6-12 will get to color and draw with chalk on the local sidewalks Saturday, June 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. They’ll be accompanied by professional chalk-artist TaraLynn Lake, who will assist in their colorful work while also contributing her own art to the concrete canvas.

“TaraLynn first reached out to me a few months ago and we came up with the idea over the ongoing conversation,” Rogers said. “It’s exciting…Chalk the Walk gives children a chance to create cool art that also beautifies the downtown area.”

While the chalk will eventually succumb to the elements and friction of foot traffic, three 15-foot tarps will be available for children to paint all weekend for a more lasting exhibit. After the events wrap-up, the young artists and city visitors can admire their collaborative masterpiece throughout the summer, with the tarps approved to be hung on the local fences.

Another lighthearted endeavor takes place Saturday at Lions Park in “Sand Sculptures by Janet Schrader.” Nicknamed “The Sand Pirate,” Schrader continues her artistry into Sunday at the New Buffalo Beach with the “I Want to be a Mermaid” fundraiser. Attendees will have a chance to get a picture with their head on a sand-sculpted mermaid body for a fee, benefiting cancer research and patient treatment.

With the added ambiance of musical performances by such acts as Golden Fingers, The Newports, Johnny V and Ah Tu, guests of all ages can expect an artful and enjoyable atmosphere. Rogers said there will be artist demonstrations and food vendors throughout the festival, and various wineries including Tabor Hill, Round Barn, 12 Corners, Baroda Founder, and Lemon Creek.

While many of the new plans for ARTigras are geared toward the youth, it’s part of a well-balanced approach to the arts that visitors of any age can appreciate and enjoy, while local artists are able to highlight their work.

“Art can be temporary like the chalk or the sand or longstanding to enjoy timelessly,” Rogers said. “[The ARTigras Festival] is truly a celebration of the artist.”