Weather Wreaks Havoc on Arts Festival Forcing Artists to Pack Up and Leave

Artists braved Saturday’s storm at the  despite heavy rain that kept the away the crowds. Lightning thunder and wind, along with a heavy downpour hit the annual arts festival at about 1 p.m. Saturday and continued until nearly 3 p.m. 

Most artists said they would stay until the end of the day, despite damage to some of their wares. But the elements proved too much for some, who packed up their artworks and left early, including Fox Island artist Steve Portteus, owner of Kiln House Sculpture . 

More than 80 artists are participating in the third-annual , from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the shopping center.