Thousands of people descended upon downtown Perry this weekend to take part in the 8th annual Art on the Prairie event.

Not only was is the most well-attended festival in the event’s history, it also had the largest amount of artists. Organizer Jenny Eklund says the needle is definitely pointing up for Art on the Prairie, but it’s created at least a little concern on her part for where it can go from here. “Who would’ve thought eight years ago we would’ve grown to this level? Sixty-eight artists, about 20-25 musicians and half-a-dozen or so poets. When we started, we were in three buildings, and we thought that was a big success, a big deal. Now we’re in eight buildings! I’m telling you, I’m getting nervous for next year, because I’m like, ‘We’re going to need some more buildings!’”

The eight locations that housed the artists over the weekend largely consisted of restored or renovated buildings, and Eklund believes they were pieces of art unto themselves. The locations included: the Security Bank Building, Hotel Pattee, the Towncraft Building, the public library, the Carnegie Library Museum, Betsy Peterson Designs, the Citizens Bank Gallery, and La Poste. With another successful year in the books, Eklund and the rest of the Art on the Prairie Committee are looking forward to next year, hoping to up the ante even more.