On Kids Day, $400 pieces of jewelry are put aside in favor of $4.00 handiwork creations. From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Wednesday afternoon, throngs of young entrepreneurs flocked to Allen St. to sell hand-crafted wares from lines of stalls filled with everything from bead necklaces to wooden toys to bound journals. Parents and children tired from shopping found respite from the oppressive heat in the various water-dispersing contraptions set up along Allen St.– no word on whether they’ve cooled down temperaments at Webster’s though.

Officially called Children and Youth Day, the event is a yearly staple for kids eight -18, acting as a kickoff for the rest of the festival. Preparation began long before yesterday’s four hour sale however. According to the Children and Youth Day website, the registration deadline was June 18th, 2010, but from the look of most of the creations, these youth have been working for far longer than that two-week period. Also, required to participate is a submitted picture of one’s work and a $15 fee. Though the event includes young adults, it is truly a day for kids: the majority of stands seemed to manned by those aged eight through 12.

Though Arts Fest will cater to older tastes as the week goes on, Wednesday was fun for all ages, and especially to those youngsters proudly offering their own particular brand of art.