Dawson County Arts Council will be presenting its eighth annual festival in downtown Dawsonville this weekend, showcasing the community as a fun place to visit.

Formerly known as Art in the Garden, the Spring Fling Festival will be all day Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of Dawson County Middle School, the Dawsonville Municipal Complex and the Bowen Center for the Arts.

Marcia Chelf, director of Bowen Center for the Arts, said the festival will have something for everybody, even the kids.

"We are going to have a train that runs throughout the whole event, pony rides and other things to entertain the children," Chelf said. "We had to change the name because we added more venues and made it bigger."

Originally a juried art show with artists displaying garden-related art, Art in the Garden was transformed into the Spring Fling by opening the festival up to different kinds of artwork and vendors.

This year's festival continues the juried art show but adds a quilt exhibit, live music and performances.

"This event is the largest fundraiser of the Dawson County Arts Council," Chelf said. "Donations, booth fees and sponsorships will help us fund our budget for things we do throughout the year."