The first official Saturday Fair on the Square will be March 29 from noon to 4 p.m., hosted by the Station Xchange in downtown Richmond Hill.

"People can bring out their families and stay for the whole event. There will be a really wide range of art and music, with something to appeal to everyone," said Brandy Williams, sales and marketing director of the Xchange. "We’re trying to create the image to our region that Richmond Hill is an artist-friendly community. We want to create that small downtown feel and shut down our streets every last Saturday of the month; this is something we’re going to commit to doing. This is totally free and fun. It’s a gift to the community, so we hope everyone will come out and enjoy watching and creating."

The event will feature artist’s demonstrations, art chats, artists at work in their set-up studios, and openings of new art exhibits, plays and musical shows. Attendees will be invited to join a tribal drum circle of music, which will kick off the event at noon. All attendees are encouraged to participate in the drum circle with a drum or noisemaker.

"I’m going to do a really wild mix with lots of different things," Williams explained. "This Saturday, after the drum circle, we’ll have a southern gospel group followed by Broadway tap dance and then some classic American rock music, as well as the Richmond Hill Dance Theatre. There’ll be a completely diverse mixture of music there."

Other performers will include street musicians, a working blacksmith, book writers reading excerpts, dancers and sidewalk entertainment amidst artists and craftsperson vendors. Smokin’ Pig barbecue will be available, along with other food vendors. There will be locally made art, jewelry and other handmade items. Every vendor must make, grow or create their products, Williams said.

Williams said events are already being planned for April’s Saturday Fair on the Square, with a Christian folk group, barbershop quartet and a banjo group who will play bluegrass.

"Every month, we’ll have different kinds of music," Williams said. "We still have several artist opportunities; they can rent a space for $25 or even rent a tent for $50, to promote what they’re doing and have the chance to sell their products."

Williams said all the artists’ fees will go toward covering the event. Fair on the Square will be every last Saturday, except in December when they combine the event with their Christmas Xtravaganza. The event will be weather permitting. March 29 is expected to be sunny and around 80 degrees, according to AccuWeather.com’s forecast. For more information, call the Station Xchange sales office at 756-2969.