In the beginning, the Utah Arts Festival took up two blocks near Main Street in Salt Lake City. Today, it's 11 acres around Library Square. "We've gone from having performances on the back of a flatbed truck to five huge stages," said executive director Lisa Sewell . A lot can change in 30 years.

Now in the first year of its fourth decade, the festival is still growing. Instead of adding more programs, however, publicist Barb Guy said that event organizers want to "go deeper" into the programs the festival already has.

For example, there's always a big emphasis on the written word at the festival, with readings by visiting authors, writing workshops and poetry slams. Now planners have added the Wasatch Iron Pen. Participants are given a visual cue and then have 24 hours to write a story or poem, which is then submitted for judging.

"The festival is not just about seeing art and watching artists," Sewell said, "but also about experiencing art."

Which is not to say that you won't find plenty to occupy your attention if you're more of an observer than a doer. There's a sprawling artist's marketplace that features the work of more than 125 different artists, everything from paintings and jewelry to handcrafted toys and kiln-fired ceramic jugs and vases.

Guy said that the festival has every different kind of music, from bluegrass to reggae, with performers from inside the Beehive State and around the globe. Musical headliners include the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, from New Orleans, and world music singer Angelique Kidjo, a four-time Grammy nominee from the African republic of Benin.

"She'll have people on their feet," Guy said. "If people want to come and dance their socks off, Angelique will do that."

The UAF also has an impeccable reputation among gourmands. After all, what lover of good cooking wouldn't want to get a bite to eat at a place where food is considered an art?

You can watch dancers (everything from belly dance to hip-hop), watch glass blowers, or watch a film. "I always make it a point to catch a couple of the films," said Guy. The festival's Fear No Film forum, a "festival within a festival" is presenting more than 60 short films from local, national and international filmmakers.

For those worried about finding parking in downtown Salt Lake City, the festival encourages the use of TRAX. You can arrive at any hour and stay as late you like without worrying about feeding the parking meter or fighting traffic. Maybe you can even spend the money you'll save on a piece of art -- even if it's just a really savory burrito.

If You Go

2007 Utah Arts Festival

When: Noon-11 p.m., today through Sunday

Where: Library Square, 200 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City

Cost: $8/adults, $5/seniors, children 12 and younger admitted free; $5/adults from noon-3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday only; $25/four-day festival pass; $4/adults if tickets purchased in blocks of 20 or more

Parking: TRAX provides direct access to Library Square; limited parking at Salt Lake Library

Info: www.uaf.org or (801) 322-2428