On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cherokee Heights will host its annual Cherokee Heights Neighborhood Arts Festival. The festival will cover the entire block of Etowah Drive between Freyer and Seminole Drives, one block off Cherokee Street (the one-way street proceeding north from the Square).

“There are all kinds of people doing imaginative things,” said festival organizer Jim Morris, a Cherokee Heights resident.

More than 30 local artists and friends will showcase their arts and crafts that include paintings, graphics, photography, jewelry, metal work, birdhouses, textiles, baked goods, books and more. Local groups will perform live music throughout the day.

Children will be entertained at a children’s art booth, and there will be food and baked goods available.

Morris said the arts festival originated in homes years ago when neighbors gathered to share their creations with each other at the urging of Cherokee Heights residents Barbara Leake and the late Bobbi Jessen. Jessen, who had a master of fine arts degree and made jewelry, encouraged people to find their inner artist.

“She was the most creative, wonderful artist who had a way of convincing anybody that they had art in their soul,” Morris said. “Bobbi (Jessen) and Barbara (Leake) convinced these people they needed to have an art show. They held art shows twice a year.”

When Marietta celebrated its 175th year anniversary in 2009, then-Mayor Bill Dunaway suggested that neighborhoods should have open houses or some kind of festive party to celebrate their identity.

“(Cherokee Heights neighborhood) decided to have an arts festival in honor of Bobbi,” Morris said.

The neighborhood moved their art show outdoors on Etowah Drive, which featured 20 artists.

“We had kids. We had adults. We have done it at least once a year typically on the second Saturday of November since 2009,” he said. “We’re doing good for the community. The festival is just a lot of fun.”

The festival is free and open to the public. Parking is available along Freyer and Seminole Drives. First Landmark Bank and Keep Marietta Beautiful are event sponsors. To learn more, search “Cherokee Heights Arts Festival” on Facebook.