Art is in Bloom in Downtown Medford

Several downtown Medford streets were blocked off for the 8th annual "Art in Bloom" festival this weekend.

The two-day event draws thousands of people from throughout the Rogue Valley art and flowers from throughout the state.

It was all about celebrating art, culture and entertainment downtown Saturday.

"Its an event i really enjoy coming to every year," said Sandra Wood of Central Point. "And its nice to come out, enjoy the nice weather, it's just local people people from all over oregon can come and show the wonderful things they can make."

There were showcases of art, jewelry and music and more than a dozen decorated smudge pots.

Cleve Kendall of Central Point brought the family out for the day.

"it's nice to get the family out on a nice day wander around see what the Rogue Valley has to offer for art," Kendall said.

Funds raised from this event benefit art programs at local schools including North Medford, South Medford and Phoenix high schools, said Cindy Bedingfield, an event coordinator. She says school funding for arts programs have really gotten tight in recent years.

With thousands of unique items for sale, it all came just in time for Mother's Day.

"It's Mother's Day you gotta get something for mom you eat dinner with her and then what are you going to do with her for the rest of the day?" Bedingfield said. "You might as well come here, there's something for everybody here."

This is the first year they had a wine tasting area to feature several small local wineries that don't have tasting rooms. Next year coordinators say they hope to add a culinary component to the festival. Art in Bloom wrapped up Sunday in downtown Medford.