The City of Wylie and the Public Arts Advisory Board proudly present the sixth annual Wylie Arts Festival Dec. 3, from 10 am to 5 pm at the FBC Wylie Event Center, 200 N. Ballard Ave. Join us in historic downtown Wylie and shop for fine art and unique, handmade crafts at more than 140 vendors, listen to the sounds of the season, and enjoy festive foods. Admission is free.

The Wylie Arts Festival is the perfect opportunity to cross some names off your Christmas list or simply treat yourself. Shop at vendors handpicked by the Public Arts Board to ensure a diverse, unique selection of quality handmade fine art and craft items. From jewelry to home décor to clothing to paintings to gift items you will not find anywhere else, there is definitely something for everyone. The downtown merchants also invite you to stop by and discover the many shops and restaurants lining Ballard Avenue in downtown Wylie.

Historic downtown will be filled with more than just the sights and sounds of the holidays on Dec. 3; the smell of festive food will be in the air. Choose from your favorite "fair fare" including funnel cakes, Kettle corn, turkey legs, corn dogs, Tater Twisters and sausage on a stick, or savor the barbecue, quesadillas, tacos, beans and rice and more.

Bring the kids! They'll enjoy a selection of inflatables, a petting zoo, barrel train, face painting and caricatures.

The celebration continues at 7:30 pm with the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade on Ballard Avenue, sponsored by First Baptist Wylie and the Wylie Downtown Merchants Association.

Top off the evening in Olde City Park with the annual tree lighting, following the parade, featuring Christmas music by Wylie High School's Tempo Choir, and Mayor Eric Hogue's reading of "A Visit From St. Nicholas," also known as "The Night Before Christmas."

For more information, including weather-related updates, go to www.WylieTexas.gov/ArtsFestival.