When it comes to crowd-pleasing events, the annual Arts and Crafts Festival Sept. 12-13 really stands out.

More than 145 vendors from throughout the Midwest transform Library Square in downtown Hutchinson into a tent city with colorful booths and canopies.

The rain or shine festival has earned a reputation for quality, so thousands of people flock to the event each year to browse and shop the large variety of handmade crafts, art pieces, jewelry and music.

As part of the festivities each year, Crow River Arts, a local arts organization, selects a featured artist for the show. Past honorees have included Les Kouba, Joyce Young, Charlotte Laxen and Richard Schiebel.

What would a festival be without food? Since 1988, the Hutchinson Ambassadors have organized the Taste of Hutchinson, an outdoor food court. Vendors offer a variety of tasty treats and favorites ranging from taco pies and roasted nuts to mini doughnuts and cheese curds.

In addition to the Arts and Crafts Festival and Taste of Hutchinson, visitors can attend the Friends of the Hutchinson Public Library Book Sale.

This annual event is a “must” for readers, and is the perfect place to browse for new reading material. It takes place outside the library’s Hassan Street entrance, where hardcover and paperback books for all ages are offered for sale, as well as magazines, videos and DVDs.

Generally, the books for sale are those that are out-of-date, duplicate books the library already has, or are unsuitable for the collection. In case of rain, the sale is moved indoors. Proceeds from the sale go toward projects supporting the library.

The Hutchinson Arts and Crafts Festival, Taste of Hutchinson and the annual library book sale offer the best in family fun and entertainment in Minnesota’s Hometown.

For more information, call the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau at (320) 587-5252. For details on the book sale, call the Hutchinson Public Library at (320) 587-2368.