By Claire Patterson

Great art, good location, unique atmosphere—that’s what propelled this group of festivals ahead of the rest in AmericanStyle’s fourth annual Top 10 Fairs & Festivals competition. Every craft show visitor seeks a personal, often emotional, connection to the artist—it’s what sets a festival apart from a gallery setting. Toss in some sunshine, awe-inspiring backdrops and lush green hills, and you’ve found paradise. This year we went straight to the sources—the winning show promoters—to ask what makes their events different from all the rest.

1 Paradise City Arts Festivals
Marlborough, Mass.
Northampton, Mass.
Philadelphia, Pa.

After two years in second place, Paradise City Arts Festivals have finally broken through to the 2008 top spot. The consistent AmericanStyle reader favorite is known for introducing new, frequently offbeat, artists. "Because Geoffrey and I have both been artists and collectors for more than thirty years, we’re quite open-minded as to what art forms we can accept," says Linda Post, who together with her husband Geoffrey, founded the festivals. In addition to the beautiful New England foliage that coincides with two of the festivals, the Northampton location offers an outdoor sculpture garden.

Take the time to visit in Marlborough, Mass., March 14-16 and Nov. 21-23; and Northampton, Mass., May 24-26 and Oct. 11-13; or check out the newest venue in Philadelphia, Pa., April 4-6. Learn more at www.paradisecityarts.com.

2 Scottsdale Arts Festival
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Jumping up to second from last year’s fourth place finish, the Scottsdale Arts Festival gives good reason to visit—an array of stunning craft graced by unendingly beautiful weather. Nearly 200 artists display work in tents around the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, which show director Janice Bartczak equates to "an oasis of mature trees, blooming gardens and idyllic fountains … [among] an extensive collection of public art."

The 2008 Scottsdale Arts Festival returns March 7-9. Visit www.scottsdaleartsfestival.org.

3 Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival
Lancaster, Pa.

Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival makes its debut on the list at No. 3. "From the moment guests enter our show they are treated to a restful, inspiring, first-class experience," explains managing director Amy L. Marberger. Two hundred national artists are showcased in a park setting, "a living outdoor art gallery," says Marberger.

Visit Long’s Park Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Visit http://longspark.org for details.

4 Ann Arbor Art Fairs
Ann Arbor, Mich.

If you’re looking for an enormous sampling of work by some of the top names in craft, Ann Arbor is the place to be. The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; State Street Area Art Fair; and Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair bring more than 1,000 artists to the streets, but it’s the location that sets the fairs apart. Ann Arbor is "part college town inventiveness, part fast-paced urban creativity, and part small town friendliness and resourcefulness," says Debra "Max" Clayton, the executive director of The Guild of Artists & Artisans, producer of the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair.

The four fairs take place July 16-19. For information on each fair, visit www.artfair.org; www.michiganguild.com; www.a2statestreetartfair.com; and www.a2southu.com.

5 The American Craft Shows (ACC)
Atlanta, Ga.
Baltimore, Md.
Charlotte, N.C.
San Francisco, Calif.
Sarasota, Fla.
St. Paul, Minn.

The newly renamed American Craft Shows reappear on the list for the first time in two years at No. 5. Run by the American Craft Council, the shows are amping up the excitement with innovative programming like the Searchlight Artists Gallery, which spotlights emerging talent at the Baltimore show. Each of the prestigious shows retains its own personality, but all present the "unbounded creativity" of American craft artists, says Mary Fichter, director of marketing and communications for the American Craft Council.

Experience the shows in Atlanta, Ga., March 14-16; Baltimore, Md., Feb. 22-24; Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 31-Nov. 2; San Francisco, Calif., Aug. 15-17; and Sarasota, Fla., Dec. 5-7. For details, go to http://craftcouncil.org.

6 Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Asheville, N.C.

The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands offers a juxtaposition you can’t find anywhere else: "Seventh generation Appalachian crafters who learned their skills from a family member exhibit side by side with the university-trained craftsperson with an urban aesthetic," boasts fair director Janet Wiseman. Sponsored by the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the show is an institution that has helped inspire the community since 1948, finally making its debut on our list at No. 6.

Seek out traditional and contemporary crafts alike July 17-20 and Oct. 16-19. Visit www.southernhighlandguild.org for more information.

7 Fiesta Arts Fair
San Antonio, Texas

The Fiesta Arts Fair offers more than the usual dose of flavor you may expect at a craft fair. It kicks off San Antonio’s 10-day Fiesta San Antonio—a celebration of pageantry, parties and parades, with 125 of the country’s top artists. The annual fundraising event for the Southwest School of Art & Craft adds a little picante to the list for the first time, coming in at No. 7.

Join the fiesta fun of medals, margaritas and mariachis at the fair April 19-20. Learn more at www.swschool.org.

8 La Quinta Arts Festival
La Quinta, Calif.

La Quinta Arts Festival holds steady at No. 8 for the second year in a row. The city known as the "Gem of the Desert" offers "meandering paths along lush rolling green spans," says event manager Kathleen Hughes, "a sharp contrast to the backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains." Patrons can expect to see some 250 artists in this stellar setting, which prides itself on "diversity, quality and balance."

Make the trip to La Quinta March 13-16. For more information, go to www.lqaf.com.

9 Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival at Midway College
Midway, Ky.

Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival offers Southern hospitality like no other show. "Visitors are greeted by more than 100 15-foot-high tie-dyed banners that line the streets," says event coordinator Marcie Christensen. Now entering its fifth year, the festival was an immediate hit that continues to draw attention and accolades. As Christensen says, "be prepared to meet your new favorite artist."

Take part in the event June 21-22. Visit www.franciscosfarm.org for details.

10 Des Moines Arts Festival
Des Moines, Iowa

The self-proclaimed "signature art and culture event in Iowa" makes its way onto the 2008 list at No. 10. Billed as an all-around art show, the festival nestles more than 150 professional artists among performing arts, culinary arts, music, dance, theater and children’s activities. The event offers something for everyone, says executive director Stephen King, "from a child constructing a tambourine out of cardboard, to a young professional purchasing their first piece of art, to a grandparent making their mark on a billboard-sized mural."

Join in the fun June 27- 29. Visit www.desmoinesartfestival.org for more information.