Artists and food vendors are needed for Eastern’s 26th annual arts festival.

The event is scheduled for May 2, 3, and 4, but applications for vendors and artists must be completed by March 28.

Dan Crews, Director of “Celebration: A Festival of the Arts” said they are now soliciting for food and art vendors.

Food vendors come from across the state, each with their own specialty foods. Italian, Greek, Mexican and Asian vendors are desired as well as those with traditional foods like French Fries and hot dogs.

Past local vendors include Big Al’s Dugout, which specializes in lemon and strawberry shake-ups, and Roger’s French Fries.

Ethnic or international dish vendors are encouraged in addition to any traditional festival foods and desserts.

Community groups sometimes offer their goods also, Crews said.

“This is the perfect opportunity for community groups to raise money through food or art sales,” Crews said.

The arts festival has no relevance to specific company names as vendors, though many professional food vendors travel here for the event.

“We welcome any groups that would like to generate money for their organization,” Crews said. “The recreation has done that in the past.”

Crews said from 10,000-12,000 people have attended past arts festivals.

“The turnout varies depending on the weather, but we expect it to be somewhere around that number again,” Crews said.

More than 50 artisans contributed to the Celebration’s fine arts and crafts fair last year, Crews said.

Live music performers will display their talents during the weekend’s events. Arts and crafts demonstrations and children’s events will be featured as well.

Food vendors must meet all public health requirements. Spaces are limited and only 10-14 food vendor openings are still available.

Vendor or performer applications can be picked up from Crews or downloaded from the group’s Website.

Registration forms can be sent out from the planning office as well. The contact number there is 581-2113, or Crews can be reached at [email protected]. The arts festival website is available at www.eiu.edu/~festival.

“We hope to have the download forms available from the website by the end of this week,” he said.