Arts Alive!, free, family arts festival, at Hylton Center on Sept. 17

Arts Alive! 2016, a co-production of the Prince William County Arts Council and the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas is a free, family-fun arts festival for the community on Saturday, Sept. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.

This annual community event celebrates the diversity and talent of visual and performing artists and ensembles from Prince William County and the City of Manassas, and also offers hands-on arts-related activities for children and adults, as well as food and craft vendors with items for sale. Admission and parking to the event are free.

Arts Alive! 2016 sponsors are United Bank and NOVEC.

This exciting afternoon will feature 30+ indoor and outdoor performances occurring on four stages: Merchant Hall, Gregory Family Theater and the Buchanan Partners Art Gallery inside the Hylton Center, and on a tent stage outside of the building and on the Hylton Performing Arts Center Patio Stage.

Local artists and ensembles performing include Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, Shenandoah Sound, Boyle Irish Dance, New Dominion Choraliers, Woodbridge Music Club, the Manassas Symphony, Fools! Improv and much more. There will also be strolling performers from the Center for the Arts.

Visual arts groups participating include the Manassas Warrenton Camera Club, Stone House Quilters and the Prince William Art Society.

Activities for children include watercolor painting with Edgemoor Art Studio, face painting and a children’s story corner.

Local artisans will sell their diverse arts- related wares, including jewelry, pottery, quilts and photography.

Write by the Rails will sell books by local authors.

Arts Alive! 2016 will be held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, Va. 20110. Free parking is available in the Tower lot behind the Hylton Center. Additional information about Arts Alive! 2016 is available at HyltonCenter.org or pwcartscouncil.org.