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Juggler Kim Potter, from New Zealand, is one of many performing artists who will entertain attendees at the first annual Waterloo Arts Festival this weekend in Waterloo Park‘s bandâ€" shell area. Inaugural Waterioo Arts Festival offers two days of artistic entertainment ARTS FOCUS And with the handsâ€"on workshop portion of the fesâ€" tival, participants will learn such circus tricks as juggling and spinning plates, among other activities. Their pieces will range in medium from photography and sculptures, to paintings and jewelry. The visual arts display will include works by 34 artists â€" the majority of whom are from the area. "It‘s a nice mix of variety entertainment," LeConte said of the entertainers, some of whom will travel from as faraway as Spain, California and Alberta to take part. Ten performing artists, including comedians, traâ€" peze artists and puppeteers, will entertain the audience over the two days. entire park. The free event will divided into three sectio performing artists, visual and activities. In fact, Phil LeConte, the festival‘s executive producâ€" er, said his goal is to one day expand the festival out of the park‘s bandshell area, where it will be held this vear. and take over the he first annual Water I loo0 Arts Festival is coming to Waterloo Park this weekend, and its organizer hopes it won‘t be the last. By Jennirer Ormston Waterloo woodworking artists featured in international magazine For The Chronicle event will be three sections: art One of the most imporâ€" tant aspects of organizing the festival for LeConte is ensuring it‘s accessible to everyone. "We both travel around the world and see good fesâ€" tivals and bad festivals, and if anyone is in a position to run a festival well, it‘s someâ€" one who has been through both sides of it." And it‘s his longtime experience in this field that will help to make the event a success, said Kim Potter, a juggler from New Zealand, who is scheduled to perâ€" form on both days of the festival. "We just decided that one day we would do our own." LeConte â€" who has conâ€" templated holding a festival for the past four years â€" started by making a list of the things he liked and disâ€" liked about the other festiâ€" vals. "They will basically turn the cars into works of art." LeConte is a member of the local Silly People enterâ€" tainers, who have worked around the world at festivals similar â€" to this one. As well, participants will be able to express their artistic side by painting two cars. Kids can also take part in an ecoâ€"arts project that involves making butterfly magnets using natural food dyes, papers and recycled materials. "We‘re putting on a free For more information, go to www. waterlooartsfestiâ€" val.com. The festival will run on Saturday from 11 a.m. until dusk and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. "It also has a lot of eleâ€" ments that have never been presented in this region, especially the visual arts portion. And the performers are pretty topâ€"notch." One reason LeConte encourages people to attend the festival is because it‘s something new to do. tnats where the people are. "But if you get to work somewhere a bit prettier with a different atmosphere, it‘s pretty cool." Potter said he‘s impressed by the festival‘s site in the park. "Most of the time, for street performers, you‘re working in the street. And that‘s all well and good. That‘s where the people are. As well, M & M Meat Shops will donate all the proceeds from the food and drinks it sells at the event to the charity. lo raise ftunds, a 32â€"page souvenir program â€" that includes photos and biogra phies of the performers â€" will be sold for a donation to Epilepsy Waterlooâ€"Wellingâ€" ton. event. so it doesn‘t matter what your economical back ground is. Everyone can come and enjoy art in many different levels and for mats." IgU PONTIAC BurcK 1 GMC CORMITAENT