With spring in the air and summer on the horizon, make plans to be at Dawsonville’s Spring Fling festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2-3.

Excited about the event, director of the Bowen Center for the Arts Marcia Chelf says the festival will have something for everybody, even the kids.

“We are going to have a train that runs throughout the whole event, pony rides and other things to entertain the children,” Chelf said.

Formerly known as Art in the Garden, the Dawson County Arts Council will be presenting the eighth annual festival in downtown Dawsonville to showcase the community as a fun and caring place to live and visit during one of the most beautiful seasons in the mountains.

“We had to change the name because we added more venues and made it bigger,” Chelf saìd.

Originally just a juried art show with artists displaying garden-related art, Art in the Garden was transformed into the Spring Fling by opening the festival up to many different kinds of artwork and vendors.

Oriented toward arts, crafts and children, this year’s festival will feature a juried art show, quilt exhibit, musical entertainment and performances, humane society dog and cat activities and much more.

“This event is the largest fundraiser of the Dawson County Arts Council,” said Chelf. “Donations, booth fees and sponsorships will help us fund our budget for things we do throughout the year.”

The event will take place on the grounds of Dawson County Middle School and its football field, the Dawsonville Municipal Complex and the Bowen Center for the Arts.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Marcia Chelf at (706) 216-2787.