Preparations are complete for the eighth annual Brentwood Art, Wine & Jazz Festival this weekend, including a special event marking the occasion as the last civic celebration in City Park before construction begins on the new Civic Center and new City Park.

The festival, which is free, includes attractions such as the Artist’s Garden, showcasing more than 50 juried artists; the Vintner’s Corner, spotlighting seven local vintners, micro-breweries and olive growers; 10 live jazz fusion performances on the main stage, featuring musicians from local schools and the community; and the Food Court, hosted by local restaurants, caterers and nonprofit organizations.

Returning this year is the sand sculpture display, Little Clusters Children’s Area; Walk through Time with the Historical Society; Artist of the Year Award presentation to Bill Weber; Blind Taste Test Booth; Wall of Art, displaying 1,500 hand-drawn works of art by local students; Auction on the Lawn; and The Crush, a grape stomping competition. New this year is the Masters of the Arts competition between local chefs, winemakers, florists, musicians and artists, chalk-drawn sidewalk art surrounding the entire park and Your Place at the Easel, where guests can stop and paint like they did when they were kids.

The City of Brentwood will showcase the plans for the new park and civic center in its booth next to the play area. Downtown merchants are anxiously awaiting the park and feel it will encourage Brentwood residents to visit the historic downtown district. Dafne Swisher, co-owner of Co. Co. County Wine Company, said, “Our merchants association is working hard to create family events in downtown and feels the new park will put the frosting on the cake.”

On Sunday afternoon at 4:30, organizers have arranged for an aerial photograph to be taken of attendees, who will be organized on the City Park grass in the shape of a wine glass. John Muir Health, sponsor of the celebration, will be handing out skimmer hats on Sunday to the first 500 guests arriving for the photo shoot. You can check in at the John Muir Health Emergency Services booth next to the sand sculpture display to pick up your hat. The Chalk Drawn Art Sidewalks named Faith, Hope and Charity, where youth can color all of the sidewalks surrounding the park, will be an added attraction for the aerial shot. Coloring starts at noon on Friday, Aug. 28 and young artists can register in the Gazebo to participate.

“We are so excited about this segment of our event,” said Peggie Schuitemaker, festival coordinator. “My personal challenge to the community is to bring as many residents to the park as we see at our annual Hometown Halloween.”

No streets will be closed for the festival, so guests can park on the streets surrounding downtown and then enjoy the Festival After Dark festivities from 7 to 11 p.m.

The Art, Wine & Jazz Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. For more information, visit www.brentwoodartwinejazzfestival.com or call 925-513-4422.