The Benton Arts & Heritage Festival will be held this weekend on Saturday, October 27^th in the Benton Courthouse Square from 9 am to 6 pm. The Festival is used to celebrate local crafts and history and will include a variety of local vendors.

The Police Department will close the roads at 8 am, so vendors should be prepared to setup at that time, or before if they wish. A map showing vendors their assigned spot will be posted at the Polk County News office Saturday morning.

Bluegrass bands "Just Us" and "Reliance" will return this year to perform, along with a variety of other musical acts lined u by Benton Mayor Jerry Stephens. "Just Us" and "Reliance" are brought to the festival courtesy a grant from the Tennessee Overhill Heritage association.

One of the highlights of the Festival is the Quilt Show, which features quilts from all over Polk County, bought, hand-made, heirloom or simply one you enjoy. Remember, you are more than welcome to bring by your quilts and show them off! When you bring them in, you will be assigned a ticket to make sure your quilt is returned to you. Quilts will be kept safe and watched over by various staff members throughout the day. Quilts can be brought in to the Polk County News Office, but remember the deadline is Friday afternoon.

Several Bluegrass and Gospel will play all throughout the day, so make sure you come ready to listen and enjoy!

Plenty of activities are planned for the kids too, including pumpkin painting, a bouncy house, face painting, and much, much more!

All are welcome, no matter whether or not you’re from East or West Polk, from Benton or not.

Entrance to the Festival is free, so make sure you come by to enjoy a good time, great food, and see just what Benton is all about.