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"Depending on the weather, we expect about 30,000 people over the three days," Epple said. "We're keeping our fingers crossed for sun and warm temperatures, but we are a rain or shine event and we have plenty of covered areas if we do get some rain."
All of the activities will be centered around the Main and Elm parking lot with the winetasting under the Farmers' Market and the artists along Main and Elm streets. The bands and concessions will be on the parking lot.
Billed as the "biggest and best" Missouri winefest, visitors will be able to sample over 70 wines from 13 participating wineries. Winery representatives will be on hand to talk about their products. Tickets at the door are $20 and include a souvenir wineglass.
All wines poured will be available for sale, with a 10 percent discount on case purchases, mix or match.
Participating wineries include Adam Puchta Winery, Augusta Winery, Bias Winery, Blumenhof Winery, Crown Valley Winery, La Dolce Vita Winery, Montelle Winery, Mount Pleasant Winery, OakGlenn Winery, Robller Vineyards, St. James Winery, Stone Hill Winery and Chandler Winery, which is new to the lineup.
Complimentary cheese and crackers will be provided in the market. Visitors to the winetasting area also will have the opportunity to win a special wine basket.
Hours for the winetasting will be 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
In addition to the wine, there will be a juried art show featuring 43 Midwestern artists. There is no admission charge for the art fair. All of the artwork will be offered for sale.
"We're very excited about the artists," Epple said. "About half are returning from last year and the other half are new to our event, so we encourage people to come out and view it all."
The artwork will include fiber, handmade brooms, watercolors, oils, metals, sculptures, pottery, photography, jewelry and more.
The Art Fair hours will be Friday 5-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Epple said continuous entertainment is planned throughout the weekend. On Friday, Jive & Wail Dueling Pianos will make its debut at the festival, playing from 6-10 p.m.
Saturday's lineup includes Huey Lewis & the Booze, 1-4:30 p.m., and Dick & Jane, 6-10 p.m. On Sunday, Mick Byrd will play from noon to 4 p.m.
There also will be street performers playing along Main Street, Epple said, to bring music to the artists and their shoppers.
"Everything is shaping up very well. We'll start with setup on Wednesday and take delivery of the almost 500 cases of wine on Thursday," said Epple. "The artists will start arriving Friday morning and everything starts at 5 p.m."
Parking restrictions and street closings will go into effect Friday at 6 a.m. and stay in place until about 8 p.m. Sunday.
Main Street will be closed from Cedar to right before the parking lot entrance of Droege's Supermarket. The north and south streets will remain open. Elm Street will be closed from near Front Street to Second Street.
"We ask for everyone's patience and cooperation with this," Epple said. "The downtown stores will be open for business. We just ask that you park in the open lots or other side streets."
This is the second year the Art Fair and Winefest is being put on solely by the downtown organization. In the past, the group partnered with an arts society which oversaw the art show.
