Special to GUIDON

Once a year, visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks can enjoy the highlights of the area’s 95-mile Art & Ambience Trail all at one location.

The third annual Art & Ambience Fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, at the Stone Crest Mall, located on Hwy. 54 in Osage Beach, Mo.

Many of the trail’s prominent artists, craftsmen, galleries, wineries and culinary establishments will showcase and sell their artwork, food, wine and more.

The event is free and open to the public.

“The Art & Ambience Fair is a wonderful way to experience ‘the good life’ at the lake, which is what the … trail is all about,” said Robin Evers, event chairman. “Everyone who participates in the trail contributes to the overall culture of the lake area. Bringing these creative and talented people together at the fair helps present them to the community and to visitors, and that helps everyone as a result.”

Evers said this year’s event will feature more than 40 booths.

Fine art will be on display and available for purchase, including works done in oils, acrylics and watercolors, as well as photography.

A number of area artisans and craftspeople will also offer jewelry, handmade iron and copper work, wood carvings, handmade paper and more.

Several art galleries will be represented, and an art restoration consultant also will be on hand, Evers said.

A wide range of food will be available, from local flavors offered by JJs at The Copper Pot to Dominos.

Several area wineries will have displays on hand, and all will offer tastings.

Live entertainment includes lake-area performance artists Jackie Newton and Friends, songwriter James Clay, Dale Blue and more.

For more information about the Art & Ambience Festival, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800. 386.5253 or visit the bureau’s Web site at www.funlake.com.