The Saluda Business Association says it is determined to draw a large crowd to its eighth annual Saluda Arts Festival on May 21, 2011.

With many festivals from which to choose in the spring, the SBA feels it owes it to the artists who exhibit creative artwork to have a large audience in which to sell his or her work. Plans are underway to aggressively advertise the event in print media, radio and TV in Western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina.

Creating even more excitement for the festival is the music lineup that includes One Leg Up and the Swayback Sisters.

Based in Asheville, N.C., One Leg Up performs a mixture of Gypsy Jazz, Latin, swing and original jazz compositions and is a favorite of club, concert and festival stages throughout the southeastern United States.

The Swayback Sisters are Laura Blackley, Nikki Talley and Lyndsay Wojcik. This Asheville based roots trio decided to join forces and create a diverse musical experience for themselves as well as their audiences. While each Sister is proficient in her songwriting and guitar work, the real treat is the blending of their voices in three-part harmony.

This is a juried art event offering cash awards of more than $1,500 to a range of 2D and 3D artwork.

Applications for participation can be downloaded from the www.saluda.com website or by contacting Susie Welsh at 828-749-3900 or Catherine Ross at 828-243-8696 or email sswelsh@tds.net for more information. Only 50 artists will be juried in and applications are due by March 15.

Celebrating its 130th birthday, events are being planned at the arts festival to dedicate Saluda’s history and heritage.