San Diego’s summer festival season is in full swing and one of the best, the La Jolla Festival of the Arts, takes place in La Jolla over the weekend of June 23-24. More than 10,000 people are expected this year at what is considered one of the Southland’s top showcases for art. Now in its 26th year, the event will take place on UC San Diego’s Warren Field, with nearly 200 artists displaying their work. In addition to the visual artists, three stages of music will feature 21 performers. Among those set to entertain are such local favorites as 1960s and ’70s-era cover band Rockola, Zydeco combo the Bayou Brothers, jazz from Dave Scott & Monsoon, guitar virtuosos Peter Sprague and Fred Benedetti, as well as musical host David Patrone. Produced by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Club, the events raises funds to support sports and recreation for San Diegans with disabilities. “It’s a commitment and passion of the Kiwanis,” said festival manager Ted Pena. A panel of eight judges selects the artists for inclusion in the show, with more than 400 local, national and international artists vying for a space. “If someone can get here and apply, from anywhere in the world, they can be judged along with everyone else,” Pena said. “Really what we’re looking for is the right blend of mediums.” Sculpture, watercolors, oil painting, woodcraft, jewelry, photography and other mixed media are among those featured. Kinetic sculptor Amos Robinson is well known locally — even to those outside the art world — through his large moving pieces that can be seen around town at locations like the Manpower offices in San Diego, the Tidelands Park in Coronado and the Wolfstein Sculpture Parks at Scripps Memorial Hospital. Robinson originally created art in the 1960s, trying his hand again seven years ago and moving to juried events two years ago. Today, he works in stainless steel, combining motion, reflected light and vivid colors to make eye-catching sculptures. Making his second appearance at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts, the Bay Park resident travels to 10 shows annually around the country, but considers this event to be one of the most important. “It’s a great show, the weather is almost perfect and it brings a lot of really good artists to town. Plus the people who come to it are looking for art, so it’s a perfect match,” Robinson said. Singer David Patrone said the festival, while fun, presents some challenges to the musicians that can make for an exciting event. “Playing outdoors can be challenging for a couple of reasons; you never know what the weather is going to do although San Diego is statistically one of the best places in the world to plan an outdoor event,” he said. “Sound systems are difficult to manage when the ‘room’ is endless but UCSD’s event production team is one of the most experienced in the world when it comes to providing support for outdoor events. Playing outdoors can also be rough on your instruments. My bassists play very old, valuable instruments that are definitely affected by humidity and temperature. The drums can also be affected, as well as my voice. These challenges make playing outdoors much more interesting than indoor gigs.” While Patrone said he enjoys playing for music fans, the chance to mingle with other artists is what draws him to events like this. “I love performing at events like this because I get to meet artists and I get to perform and share my art with them too,” he said. “I get a chance to relate with someone who is trying to make a living with their talent and I don’t think you can ever have too many friends like that.” Pena said putting together an event of this size on an annual basis is hard work, but he considers it time well spent. “We like to do things right, and every year we think about ways to make it better the next year,” Pena said. “Quite frankly, it’s hard to stop now. As long as we’re all members (of the Kiwanis) and still have a passion to support the arts in San Diego as well as San Diegans with disabilities, we’ll continue to do the show.” The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 24. Tickets are $12 through June 22 and $14 at the gate. This year’s lead beneficiary is Sharp Rehabilitation Services, and more than two dozen other local programs benefit. For more information, visit .