The Columbia Festival of the Arts is an annual celebration of visual, performing and literary arts. The festival fosters an awareness and appreciation of art and culture by providing participatory art experiences for all. This weekend-long celebration of the arts began in 1992 and is the signature event of the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs. An estimated 10,000 people attend the free two-day celebration annually. The Festival is held on the last full weekend in September on Courthouse Square and the surrounding streets in downtown Columbia. For more information contact the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), 573-874-6386.