ROGERS PARK — The Glenwood Ave Arts Festival just got bigger.
Organizer Dorothy Milne, of the Lifeline Theatre, said the 13th annual festival will expand this year a block east of the "L" tracks to Wayne Avenue, making room for 40 more artist booths.
"I'm totally excited," Milne said Wednesday of the festival, which kicks off Friday. "I think there's a lot of support in the neighborhood for it."
Milne said by May the artist waitlist grew to 100 and it "felt really miserable" to turn them away.
So instead she and other organizers decided to expand, allowing nearly 150 artists to participate in the free, three-day fest.
The street festival kicks off 6 p.m. Friday with the Cobblestone Jam at the North Stage on Glenwood Avenue — one of festival's three stages.
On Saturday and Sunday, acts such as Rogers Park-based band Twin Peaks, Gramps the Vamp and Henhouse Prowlers will take to the stage.
Food vendors include local favorites such as Act One Pub, Fung's Mandarin, Morse Gyros, Taqueria Los Portales, Baduo Senegalese Cuisine, Green Spirit Living (serving kale burgers), Me Dee Cafe, Heartland Cafe and JB Albertos.
Rogers Park Social, The Glenwood and the Heartland Cafe will be serving beer.
On Sunday, the Glenwood Sunday Market will move from the west side of Glenwood to the east side of the street.
Milne said the festival, conservatively, attracts 10,000-15,000 people over the weekend. But because the fest is free and doesn't collect suggested donations, it's hard to say for sure, she said.
The arts festival is supported by the area Special Service Area taxing district and generous neighborhood sponsors.
"We have really excellent neighborhood hearts," Milne said.
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