Adding another block of exhibit space to the bi-annual Burbank Fine Arts Festival on June 9 - 10 was a good move - that's what Burbank's downtown manager Gail Stewart tells me.

"We extended the exhibit space by one block, and the newspaper said we had something like 30,000 people in attendance. I know that I saw more people there than I've ever seen in the past," Stewart said of the event, which took place on downtown Burbank's San Fernando Boulevard between Magnolia Boulevard and Angeleno Avenue.

The more than 100 participating artists had to meet tough standards to be there.

"We consider our event to be a fine arts festival, not an arts-and-crafts show," Stewart explained. "The artists who take part are some of the best in Southern California. Their work has to meet a high level to qualify for participation."

Being choosy about the exhibitors is one reason for the Festival's popularity. Another reason is that it appeals to all demographics. There is usually live music and always lots to look at; this most recent Festival featured pottery wheel demonstrations and at least a half dozen highly skilled "chalk artists" whose work drawn on the sidewalks was so well done that "the pictures looked three-dimensional, almost as if you'd fall into the scene if you walked on it," Stewart said.

Personally, I think it's a great event for Burbank because it's fun for literally everyone - kids, grown-ups, grandparents, you name it. Everybody can find something there that's fun and interesting for them.

The next Burbank Fine Arts Festival is scheduled for Nov. 10 - 11. For details, visit www.downtown-burbank.org.