Announcing Bellevues Festival of the Arts 2004!

A Summer favorite returns to the Eastside as one of its most popular annual events returns from July 23 - 25, 2004. An acclaimed and eagerly awaited cultural tradition previously known as the Rest of the Best Fest," the Bellevue Festival of the Arts features nearly 200 of the nations most talented and popular artists, artisans and craftspeople, along with food, fun, and free musical entertainment! This years festival will take place from July 23 -- 25, 2004, in the Cost Plus Parking Lot (across from Bellevue Square).

(PRWEB) February 8, 2004 --An acclaimed and eagerly awaited cultural tradition returns to the East Side this summer, with the 20th Annual Bellevue Festival of the Arts! Previously known as the Rest of the Best Fest," the Bellevue Festival of the Arts features nearly 200 of the nations most talented and popular artists, artisans and craftspeople, along with food, fun, and free musical entertainment! This years festival will take place from July 23 -- 25, 2004, in the Cost Plus Parking Lot (across from Bellevue Square).

2004 FACTS AT A GLANCE:
What: The Bellevue Festival of the Arts
When: July 23 - 25, 2004
Hours: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Price: Free!
Website: www.Bellevuefest.org

One of the Eastsides premier annual cultural events, the Bellevue Festival of the Arts showcases work by an outstanding assortment of some of the best artists and artisans from across the Northwest and Canada -- as well as nationwide. The event offers festival-goers a superb array of beautiful and finely crafted items of every description, including jewelry, photography, textiles, glass, fine art, woodwork, pottery, sculpture, and much more -- as well as the chance to meet the gifted artists who create them! The Festival also offers a rich and mouthwatering assortment of concessions featuring some of the Northwests tastiest foods, beverages, and mouthwatering sweets for old and young alike. Live music by several popular musical acts on Saturday and Sunday (July 24 and 25), meanwhile, provides the perfect finishing touch to the festivities.

After 20 years, the Bellevue Festival of the Arts remains one of the most highly praised juried arts and crafts fairs nationwide, and was recently rated by The Artfair Sourcebook as one of the best arts fairs in the country.

The Festival also remains a vital and loyal supporter of the community, and in 2004 continues its tradition of distributing its net proceeds back to the Seattle and Bellevue communities, to worthy causes and organizations. Past beneficiaries include seven local shelters (including New Beginnings and Seattle Emergency Housing), six food banks including the Pike Market Downtown Food Bank and Teen Feed, three community centers including The Seattle Indian Center, four health-care organizations (including Overlake Hospital and The Lifelong AIDS Alliance) and seven youth programs, including The Bellevue Schools Foundation and Heart and Soul. Even better, as members of a larger 'global community, the Bellevue Festival of the Arts also contributes international donations to worthy causes worldwide, as well.

As always, area transportation to the Festival is a snap, as the Metro will be running free shuttle buses between the Festival and the South Kirkland, Houghton Park, and South Bellevue Park and Ride lots every 15 minutes, making regular stops along Bellevue Way. Paid parking (at approximately $1-$2 per car, although prices may vary by location) will also be available in many of Bellevues downtown buildings as well, along with Bike Corral parking options available as well.

FOR THE PUBLIC: For more information, please visit www.Bellevuefest.org on the web, or call (206) 363-2048.

FOR REPORTERS ONLY: For more PR information on the Bellevue Festival of the Arts 2004, or for background information, photos or images, please contact publicist Angela Mitchell, at (904) 982-8043 or Paramitch@aol.com. Or for quotes about the Festival itself (or its 20th anniversary in the area!) please contact Ann Sutherland of the Craft Cooperative of the Northwest, at (206) 363-2048.

###