It’s been 35 years and still Langley loves its hometown festival, Choochokam Arts.

Get ready for the 36th annual extravaganza that hits the streets of downtown Langley from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 10. More than 15,000 people converge on the Village by the Sea to peruse artists booths, food vendors and stages that line the streets, and where folks can meet more than 80 artists, sample delicious fare, relax in the beer garden and enjoy family fun, circus-style entertainers, theater, music and dancing in the streets.

Getting to and from the festival will be easy this year.

Choochokam organizers announced the good news that the folks at Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle & Charter will return with its free shuttle service on both days. Not only can festival goers grab an Island Transit bus on Saturday from points throughout Whidbey, they can also jump on the official Choochokam Arts festival shuttle that departs regularly from the Clinton ferry dock from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Dancers will be happy to note that due to the popularity of the Saturday Night Street Dance, organizers have added a second street dance from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday with blues artist Leroy Bell.

Athletic types, too, can even find a challenge at the Langley Half Marathon at Choochokam on Sunday morning.

The race starts at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Langley and follows a scenic 13-mile course along Saratoga Passage and finishes in downtown. Registration for the event to run or walk can be done online at the race website at www.langleyhalfmarathon.com, at the race booth at Choochokam on Saturday, or at the starting line on Sunday morning, until the race begins. The annual race benefits the nonprofit South Whidbey Parks Foundation.

Look for a schedule of events, along with a map for everything you need to know about Choochokam Arts included in today’s print edition of the South Whidbey Record.

Choochokam Arts is sponsored by the Langley Chamber of Commerce, Port of South Whidbey, Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle & Charter, AlliKat Records, 90.7 KSER, Whidbey Island Bank, Whidbey Telecom and Sequoyah Electric.

What’s happening this year at Choochokam Arts fest Family Fun Stage at Langley Park

Once again, the Family Fun Stage at Langley Park will host music, workshops and activities appropriate for children of all ages.

Larry Dobson and his band of circus friends will perform Sunday afternoon, while the Whidbey Children’s Theater will be on hand throughout the weekend painting faces, along with

its performances of “Treasure Island” on the Martha Murphy Mainstage in the theater on Anthes Avenue at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. WCT Choochokam matinees are $7 for all seats.

Look also for Northwest Language Academy, which presents a taste of its foreign language day camps for kids, as well as Island Strings and performances by its various musicians at the Useless Bay Coffee Company Pavilion.

Two stages of music at Choochokam Arts

Main Stage — Saturday, July 9

11 – 11:45 a.m.

Make or Break (acoustic rock)

Noon – 12:45 p.m.

Million Dollar Nile (country)

1 – 1:45 p.m.

Seeing Blind (indie rock)

2 – 2:45 p.m.

The Side Project (adult contemporary)

3 – 3:45 p.m.

Deja Blooze (blues)

4 – 4:45 p.m.

Verlee 4 Ransom (indie rock)

5 – 5:45 p.m.

Sweetkiss Mama (rock ‘n’ roll)

Saturday Night Street Dance

6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Boxcar Rebellion (rock ‘n’ roll)

8 – 9:30 p.m.

The Honey Badgers (rock ‘n’ roll)

Useless Bay Pavilion — Saturday, July 9

10 – 10:45 a.m.

Quinn Fitzpatrick (instrumental guitar)

11 – 11:45 a.m.

John Williams (blues)

Noon – 12:45 p.m. Christopher Shore (folk)

1 – 1:45 p.m.

Russell Clepper (bluegrass)

2 – 2:45 p.m.

The McG’s (Celtic)

3 – 3:45 p.m.

Gina Alibrio (acoustic rock)

4 – 4:45 p.m.

Linda Enns/80:20 (pop)

5 – 5:45 p.m.

The Fentons (country)

6 – 6:45 p.m.

Slower Loris (alternative)

Main Stage — Sunday, July 10

11 a.m. – noon

Marathon Awards with Matt Simms

Noon – 12:45 p.m.

Jim O’Halloran (jazz)

1 – 1:45 p.m.

Nigel Mustafa (reggae/ska)

2 – 3 p.m.

20 Riverside (funk)

Sunday Street Dance

3:30 – 5 p.m.

LeRoy Bell (blues)

Useless Bay Pavilion — Sunday, July 10

10 – 10:45 a.m.

Island Strings (classical)

11 – 11:45 a.m. Liz Rognes (singer/songwriter)

Noon – 12:45 p.m.

Torrey Musicant (adult contemporary)

1 – 1:45 p.m.

Rob Rigoni (jazz)

2 – 2:45 p.m.

Gravy and the Biscuit Rollers (blues)

3 – 3:45 p.m.

Batch (pop)

4 – 4:45 p.m.

City Faire (acoustic rock)