Anyone who speaks of tranquil, relaxing summers in State College is obviously not thinking of the second week of July.

Just three miles away from the excitement created by the Annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in State College, another location grows in popularity and influence during the same time of the year. The quiet town of Boalsburg hosts the 10th annual People's Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and tomorrow, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday on the Boalsburg Military Museum Park.

An estimated 80,000 people attended the festival in 2001, and the typical increase in the number of visitors is expected to continue this year.

A rapidly expanding rival to both the State College festival and the concurrent Another Choice Show -- also in Boalsbug -- the People's Choice Festival features artists and craftspeople in 163 booths sheltered underneath four tents. While the goal of the festival is to promote the local artists, most of the event's activities focus on youth exhibitions including face painting, a hands-on space museum and tethered hot air balloon rides. Forty-eight musical performances on two stages provide entertainment to visitors of all ages. Since no festival would be complete without an extensive assortment of food vendors, guests can make their choices between the 26 available places to eat.

Artisans from all over Pennsylvania are represented at the People's Choice Festival, featuring hand-designed wood, clay, leather, glass and metal.

Betty Belmonte of Bryn Mawr will be presenting her homemade jewelry for the first time at the festival. Belmonte retired from her career in biomedical research to enjoy being a full-time craftswoman.

"I heard from other craftsmen that the (People's Choice) festival was well-organized," Belmonte said. "I wanted to see a festival in another venue. ... Festivals are great opportunities for people to just see what they love and buy it."

Professionals with their own businesses also comprise a large percentage of the festival's artisans. Chris Koladish of Brookville, a business owner for 18 years and a multiple-year veteran of the People's Choice Festival, said she liked the festival because it draws a wide variety of people.

"State College features the high-run arts taste while people who want the more traditional crafts come to us," Koladish said.

Chris weaves baskets of all kinds and said the People's Choice Festival is one of the best shows out of the 10 festivals she attends annually.

A volunteer committee led by People's Choice directors George and Nancy Marion coordinates and oversees the festival each year. The People's Choice Festival was founded in response to local artists' difficulty finding space available in downtown State College. Although the purpose of the arts show is to promote local craftspeople, some people had to be turned down this year because there are only 163 booths available.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.peopleschoicefestival.com.