In an effort to kick off this year’s arts and tourism season in Saratoga Springs, organizers of the SaratogaArtsFestival announced plans for the return of the community-wide arts event for the second straight year on Tuesday, April 15.

The announcement came at the Surrey Williamson Inn on the Skidmore College campus in front of a number of arts, civic, business and academic leaders from Saratoga Springs. The ArtsFest is scheduled for June 15-17 and will feature more than 100 events from national and local artists.

According to organizers, that number has doubled from the festival’s inaugural year.

“We have four times the performers and it’s an amazing line-up,” Dee Sarno, former Executive Director of the Saratoga County Arts Council, said. “We have doubled and tripled every line-up in every venue, so it’s pretty exciting.”

The announcement of the festival was followed with a brief performance by New York City jazz pianist Gerald Clayton - one of this year’s headlining acts. Also in attendance were local visual artist Frankie Flores and Will Bond, a member of the renowned SITI Company.

In addition to artists listed above, the 2008 SaratogaArtsFest will include headlining performances by legendary dance troupe Martha Graham Dance Company, world renowned vocal entertainers the Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble, award-winning poet and nonfiction writer Honor Moore, the ensemble-based theatre group SITI Company, The Equus Projects: Dancing with Horses and classical music talent from Carnegie Hall - ACJW Ensemble.

According to festival coordinator Marie Glotzbach, local arts organizations and partners have increased participation by 70 percent this year including a 44 percent increase in venues. More than 80 businesses from the Saratoga Downtown Business Association will participate in providing discounts and performances for this year’s ArtsFest, which is an increase of 105 percent from last year.

“The Saratoga community has embraced the ArtsFest from residents, businesses, arts organizations, schools and students from across the region,” Glotzbach said.

Aside from national acts, audiences will also have the opportunity to experience arts organizations from the area with performances by the Lake George Opera Company, Epiphany Theatre and a special offering at the Saratoga County Arts Center.

The ArtsFest will feature performances from local youth artists as well, including an extensive lineup of workshops, exhibits and demonstrations for children. Glotzbach said they hope to offer a platform and stage for young performers.

“In the arts community throughout the area there are lots of kids out there being creative and to give them a forum that’s not just about kids, but art and to raise their level of participation in the community as artists and not just as students is important.” ArtsFest School Program Coordinator June Leary said.

The city will also look to the festival to help bring in tourism. David Zunker, President of the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau, said that to build a long lasting relationship arts and tourism must join hands in collaboration and communication.  The arts help to strengthen a community’s local economy and to also attract visitors, Zunker said.

“For tourism Arts and culture are an expression of a community’s heart and soul,” Zunker said.

An admission package titled “ArtsPass” will be available for $30 for adults; $25 for seniors and $15 for students and military. A junior “ArtsPass” for children 3 to 11 will cost $5. Children under 3 are free.

“I hope the ArtsFest reinforces that the arts are available to everybody,” Zunker said. “This is a program that opens up the entire community to arts lovers of all kinds,”

For more information on this years ArtsFest visit: www.saratogaartsfest.org