SANDPOINT — Some things change, some things never do. Pend Oreille Arts Council’s 46th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair will happen the second weekend in August, just as always, but instead of setting up the tents at City Beach, they’ll be set up in the streets of downtown.

“To tell the truth, we were surprised when the city told us that we would have to move the fair,” POAC board president, Carol Deaner said. “But, the more we brainstorm about it, the more ideas for improving the fair have bubbled up. The good news is that we can accommodate more vendors, the pack-in, pack-out for the vendors will be much improved and the ever-challenging parking issues will be resolved.”

Deaner said that the devil is in the details. The Fair will be set up on Main Street from Jeff Jones Square to First Avenue and across Second Avenue. Those streets will be closed off from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Entertainers will perform in front of U.S. Bank.

On Saturday, Farmer’s Market will have extended hours. “Their organizers have been terrific to work with,” Deaner said. She also said that POAC will increase the number of volunteers to help make sure the fair comes off without a hitch.

“Or, at least as few hitches as possible,” Deaner said. “We already have over 80 vendors signed up, and we’ve given vendors a say in their booth locations for the first time. The Arts and Crafts Fair is POAC’s biggest fundraiser, so you know that we’re committed to making this year’s fair a huge success for the vendors and the community.”

City officials mentioned enhancing downtown and alleviating congestion as issues for changing the venue.

“We’ve always set up the fair at the City Beach so operationally we had a history to fall back on,” committee chair Kris Contor said. “With the downtown venue we’ll be rethinking how we can best put this event together and create a lot of positive energy. It’s a good thing.”

POAC’s Arts and Crafts Fair is a juried show that runs Saturday, Aug. 11 and Sunday, Aug. 12. All products must be handmade. There are still booths available, so if you are interested in becoming a vendor, contact the POAC office at 208-263-6139 or go to artinsandpoint.org.