Solid event and a mainstay of local culture in Tempe and I guess one might even argue Phoenix. I volunteered this year and got a chance to see the quality of people putting together the Tempe Arts Festival and making it work and they are terrific. I highly encourage folks to consider being a volunteer because often it is booth sitting and walking around and around an area of the festival - much like being in an art gallery and you get a chance to see what connects with you - the downside, a great way to end up spending a lot of money! I ended up buying some small thing and one hand tinted photograph that I could not resist. Oh well, drives the economy and all that jazz, or is that jazz hands?
Suffice to say, I have a new appreciation for the event, the artists who come out and the paid staff and volunteers who help things run smoothly and will be devoting my two days a year I can use for non-profits to helping put on the arts festival. :-)