The creative talents of many artists and craftpersons will be on display for the first time at this years 28th edition of Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival. In fact, just over 50 percent of this year's festival exhibitors will be completely new faces at the annual Labor Day extravaganza.

Since the festival is a juried event, potential exhibitors must submit slides of their work for a panel of jurors who select the best from all those entered. Approximately 700 entries were in competition for the 300 spaces at the festival.

"Typically the festival has 20 to 25 percent new exhibitors each year. This is somewhat unusual to have so many exhibitors, but definitely guarantees that visitors will see a lot of new and exciting work on display," said festival director Roxanne Wallis.

In other festival news, the first group exhibit will be staged this year by the Atlanta Art Glass Guild. Their membership works in all forms of glass including blown glass, stained glass, fusion and neon glass just to name a few. Many members have exhibited at Powers' Crossroads over the years on an individual basis and several still do.

The Guild had exhibited a number of years at the Atlanta Arts Festival, but decided to seek a new home.

"We are very happy to have our group exhibit at Powers' Crossroads. It was a unanimous choice of our membership," said Guild president Betsy Dahlberg.

The Three Festivals of Powers' Crossroads include the Festival of Arts and Crafts, the Festival of Entertainment and the Festival of Food. Held at the historic Powers' Plantation, the festival takes place Sept. 5, 6 and 7.

Gates open at 9 a.m. daily and close at 6 p.m., except the final day when the gates close at 5 p.m. The festival is located on Ga. Highway 34 west, 10 miles from downtown Newnan.