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The festival, ranked fourth among 600 art shows around the nation, is aiming to continue its climb to the top.

"We're proud to be No. 4, and we fully intend to go up more," Mo Dana, executive director of the festival, said Thursday. "It's really fun to know the others have to try to keep up with Des Moines."

The festival has improved from a No. 117 ranking by the Art Fair SourceBook in 1998 to No. 4 in 2004. The ranking is based on evaluations of the artists who participate in the shows.

The synergy of the community and artists makes the Des Moines Arts Festival explode, Dana said.

"The community loves the artists, and the artists love the community," she said. "It's a great community to have this in because people really appreciate and enjoy the art."

This year's festival, which runs through Sunday, features 150 artists from across the country and the world. But with more than four stages, 50 entertainers, 30 family art activity areas and 21 food vendors, it isn't an easy event to plan.

The work begins 1-1/2 years in advance, Dana said. For half the year, organizers work six days a week; in the last month, it's seven.

On Thursday, between 75 and 100 workers were out, putting up banners, erecting tents and placing tables. Artists set up their own tents, as well as their art for display.

"It'll take 100 people 24 hours to get it done," Dana said.

When the festival opens at 4 p.m. today, the artists' booths will line First and East First streets while the bridges will be packed with booths for art activities, tented seating, food and beverages.

Emerging Iowa Artists, at the festival for a third year, also get to showcase their talents. The 23 artists, Iowa residents who are enrolled in higher education, undergo the same jury process as the professionals. A majority of this year's participants attend the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University and Grand View College.

Visitors to the festival can also partake in some art - musical and visual - of their own.

For the first time at the festival, attendees can participate in a live drumming performance in the community drumming tent. Drum Magic will have more than 100 drums and other instruments.

There are also six areas of family art activities on the three bridges, ranging from putting together an enormous wooden puzzle for "Building a Better Future" to a large-scale "Paint by Numbers," where children can put their artistic touch on murals that will be displayed throughout the community all year.

During the two days of preparations, the festival's "Hot for Art" theme could not have been more appropriate.

"The question I'm asked most throughout the year is, 'Is it going to be hot?' " Dana said Thursday.

And even with a forecast of thundershowers late today and throughout Saturday, Dana's guess of yes for heat looks to be true.

"'Course I wish it was 75 degrees," Dana said. "But it's not that strenuous to sit under a tree, sip a lemonade and look at some art."

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Performances today
AMERUS AMPHITHEATER STAGE
4 to 5:30 p.m.: Big Wooden Radio - roots-based acoustic band
6 to 7 p.m.: Isiserettes - youth drill and drums corps
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Dr. Feelgood - variety of recognizable music

PRAIRIE MEADOWS COURT AVENUE STAGE
4 to 6:30 p.m.: Little Mojo - folk rock
7 to 10 p.m.: STAR 102.5's Totally '80s Friday Night with Jimmy Wright - live radio show

LIBRARY STAGE FEATURING BANK OF AMERICA GLOBAL PERFORMING ARTS DAY
4 to 5 p.m.: Sevdah - traditional Bosnian dance pieces
5:30 to 7 p.m.: Las Guitarras de Mexico - mariachi-style guitar and percussion
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Atahualpa - musicians from Ecuador
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Getting there
STREET CLOSURES
Some streets will be closed until 6 a.m. Monday:
• Locust Street from Second Avenue to East First Street
• Walnut Street from Second Avenue to East First Street
• Court Avenue from Second Avenue to East First Street
• Water Street (First Street) from Market Street to Vine Street
• East First Street from Court Avenue to Walnut Street
For I-235 construction updates, see Metro Record on Page 2B.