CEDAR FALLS - The word "lollapalooza" originally meant "remarkable or wonderful person or thing," according to Wikipedia.

Then it became the name for an American music festival.

Now it's been transformed into "ARTapalooza," giving the word - and festival - a new meaning. The second annual Artapalooza, a street arts festival, takes place Saturday in the 100-300 blocks of Cedar Falls' Main Street.

Forty local and regional artists will be featured in the invitational juried show, which also features muscians, street performers and plenty of hands-on arts activities for children and adults. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ceramics artist Jim Kerns sees it as a great opportnity for local and area artists to showcase and sell their work. "There are a lot of very good artists in the Cedar Valley. Getting people downtown to see the artwork … lots of times people don't understand the importance of the arts in the community and the importance of creative thinking in business and other aspects of life. Having arts festivals is a nice forum for dialogue between the artists and partrons, a chance to talk about the work and sell some work, and it helps keep Main Street vital."

Last year's event was a hit with artists and patrons alike, says Barbara Brown, and the hint of fall in the air is appealing. The idea grew out of the success and interest in the annual "Galleries on Main" tour in December. Organizers decided to move it up to take advantage of fall weather. "It's a wonderful time of year to showcase what Main Street has to offer visitors. There's plenty to see and do, and many of the downtown businesses are participating."

Barbara Brown and Julie Schmik are co-chairing the event.

Each block will feature a variety of artists and activities, including beading, mini scrapbooking, poster painting, hand print and thumb print artwork, henna tattoos, Jiva the Clown, glass blowing and acrylic painting, face paiting, build-yourself-a-craft, Legos, canvas painting and more.

Performers include Rick Vanderwall, the Etereo String Quartet, Yo-Yo Man Lee Przyblski, the Cedar Falls High School Jazz Band, UNI Suzuki School of Music, and Dean Franzen. Snacks will be available, but visitors are being encouraged to stop and dine at one of the many restaurants located in downtown Cedar Falls.

Featured artists in the 100 block are: David Leeper, metal sculpture; Art Strong, Raku pottery; Shirley Shirley, copper jewelry; Peg Novak, batik; Xanthe Walker, collage and found-object jewelry; Honor Heindl, photography; Dietra Noborikawa, watercolor/pen/ink/Sharpies; Sarah German, porcelain pottery; Ryan Bonjour, wood; Alice Dolgener, painting: Douglas Cole, pottery; Steve Carter, wildlife and farm scene painting/prints; Annette Andres, silver/gold jewelry; Larry Erickson, photography.

In the 200 block: Darla Ellickson, silver/gold jewelry; Frank Smith, wood inlay/wood baskets; Jon Schneckloth, stoneware/raku; Emily Meyer, portraits/cards/jewelry; Pat and Yayoi Moreland, ceramic ware; Johanna Kramer-Weston, abstract painting/biology text books; Rebecca McIntyre, fused glass jewelry; Cheryl Jacoby, watercolors; Dusty Scott, abstract painting; Jim Kersn, stoneware/porcelain; Karen Armentrout, stained glass; Lidna Scallon, paintings; Dave Johnson, welded objects.

In the 300 block: Kat BarronMiller, beads, wire jewelry; Steve Hunter, photography/painting; Bill Close, pastels/wood; Bill Schuerman, digital photography; Brenda and Tim Fuller, gold/gemstones jewelry; Aaron Bos-Wahl, oil paintings; Wade Scheel, salt-fired stoneware; Ann Ferguson, sterling/gemstone jewelry; Shelly Delagardelle, Polaroid transfer; Shauna Zeck, Native American beadwork; Tracy Sweet, abstract paintings; Doug Reynolds, stoneware pottery; Kay Schneider, batik clothing; Rod Minter, metal garden sculptures.

Event sponsors are Regions Bank, Courier Communications, Scott's Electric, Copies Plus, Mudd Advertising, Arthur Davis Agency, Signs and Designs, Cup of Joe, KWWL-TV, Art Store and More, Hawkeye Corrugated Box, S&C Graham Photo Design, Cedar Falls Altrusa Club, L&M Transmission and Towing, Hearst Center for the Arts.

For more information regarding ARTapalooza on Main, call 277-0213.