A walking tour of all things artsy, craftsy and fair-sy

An array of arts energizes downtown Bellevue at three arts-and-crafts fairs this weekend.

Discover old and new favorites among wearable, displayable or functional arts and crafts in all styles and meet the artists at Bellevue Arts Museum ArtsFair, with displays and sale by more than 300 juried artists, many demonstrating their techniques on-site on the west side of Bellevue Square shopping mall. Formerly known as the Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair, the popular event has been an Eastside tradition for more than 60 years and led to the founding of Bellevue Arts Museum, site of the festival's Kidsfair hands-on craft activities 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission to museum galleries is free for everyone. Fair hours are 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Also this weekend, Bellevue Festival of the Arts includes sculpture, photography, paintings and jewelry, this year featuring many sculptors among its on-site artist demonstrations. Bellevue 6th Street Fair offers jewelry, home decor, fabrics, beadwork, baskets and more by 120 artists. Food vendors, music and kids' activities add to the festivities, all within walking distance throughout downtown Bellevue.

Bellevue Arts Museum ArtsFair

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; Kidsfair, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Location: Bellevue Square parking lot, Northeast Fourth Street and Bellevue Way, Bellevue. Kidsfair at Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue.

Information: 425-519-0770 or www.bellevuearts.org.

Bellevue Festival

of the Arts

Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Location: In the Cost Plus Parking lot at the intersection of Bellevue Way Northeast and Northeast Eighth Street, Bellevue.

Information: 206-363-2048 or www.bellevuefest.org.

Bellevue 6th Street Fair

Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Location: On 106th Avenue Northeast between Northeast Fourth Street and Northeast Eighth Street, downtown Bellevue.

Information: 425-453-1223 or www.bellevuedowntown.org.

All three festivals

Cost: Free, including free admission to Bellevue Arts Museum galleries.

Getting there: From Interstate 90, take the Bellevue Way exit north, and go straight to Northeast Fourth Street; from Interstate 405, take the Northeast Fourth Street exit (Exit 13A) and go straight to Bellevue Way.

Free bus shuttles to downtown Bellevue every 15 minutes, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, from South Bellevue Park and Ride, 2700 Bellevue Way S.E., Bellevue; South Kirkland Park and Ride, 108th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 38th Place; or Houghton Park and Ride, 7024 116th Ave. N.E., Kirkland. Several other Metro and Sound Transit buses travel to downtown Bellevue; Metro Transit info, 206-553-3000 or transit.metrokc.gov.

Parking: Pay lots available throughout downtown Bellevue. Free parking at Bellevue Square. Free parking Saturday and Sunday at Plaza Center, 10900 N.E. Eighth St.; $1 parking Saturday and Sunday, Griffin Parking Lot, 10801 N.E. Eighth St., Bellevue.

Madeline McKenzie: 206-464-8245 or mmckenzie@seattletimes.com or