It’s art festival time in Iowa City

The Iowa Arts Festival, one of the state’s biggest art events, opens today in Iowa City. Fest president Vicki Jennings says there’s a new feature for families this year called “The Village,” and kids and parents get a passport book and visit areas that represent five countries. It’s the 14th year for the festival, which was first sponsored by business backers.The event is bigger than art in the park. Jennings says today booths stretch along Clinton, Dubuque, and Washington Streets in downtown Iowa City. Just like the State Fair, the Iowa Arts Festival will feature continuous entertainment on the main and family stages, and headliners like Friday night’s “Saint Somewhere.”Saturday, Jennings says it’ll be the Sam Bush band and Iowa City favorite “Big Wooden Radio” onstage. Hundreds of artisans from Iowa City and other places will have booths on the downtown streets for all four days of the festival.