Following a year absence, an art walk returns to Columbia’s Main Street this Saturday with added color and just about everything under the sun.

This year’s event, titled “Art du Soleil,” takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

“When we just started brainstorming earlier this year, we threw out a few ideas and the one that stuck was a circus theme,” Art on the Bluffs committee member Deb Roediger explained.

The translation for “Art du Soleil” means “Art of the Sun,” and that’s how the committee went about reviving an event that was a hit in previous years.

“We’ve had a lot of fun coming up with ideas on decorating, entertainment opportunities and food snacks,” Roediger said.

Committee members decided to take a year off following the 2013 event due to a lack of manpower.

“It takes a great deal of effort, commitment and dedication since there are so many different types of venues and activities going on,” Roediger said. “But we feel like we are back stronger than ever this year. People do seem to really enjoy the mix of all we have to offer and really seem to like the venue on Historic Main Street.”

This year’s walk will feature artists from Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri in addition to locals and others from all over the state.

“We also have a few demonstrators as well for mosaic and jewelry making,” Roediger said.

The entertainment lined up for this year’s event includes bands such as Second Sojourn and Trilogy, plus theatre performances and solo musicians.

“We have some roaming acts as well,” she said.

In keeping with the circus theme, there will be Shriners clowns, magicians and circus performers throughout the day.

And then there’s food. Chick-fil-A will be selling chicken sandwiches. A SeaSon’s food truck will be on hand. Other food vendors will include Aunt Maggie’s, Jaycee’s BBQ, Christ Community Lutheran Church and Marie’s Ice Cream Shoppe. The Immaculate Conception Church youth group will sell soda and water, and Art on the Bluffs will be selling animal crackers, Cracker Jacks, circus peanuts and red foam noses for kids.

“We will also be selling bright-colored, reusable shopping bags with the theme of this year’s walk,” Roediger said.

The Susan Nobbe Children’s Garden offers hands-on art activities. There will be a booth for decorating piggy banks, and kids can also show their creativity by making pinwheels, sun-catchers and circus hats.

A student gallery has categories for ages 7-10, 11-14, 15-18, 19-59 and 60 and up.  Roediger said art work may be submitted the day of the event between 10 and 11 a.m.

Awards will be handed out in each age category. Attendees can bring their artwork to the event with a submission form  from the event website, www.artonthebluffs.com.

“We invite all to come by and vote for their favorites,” Roediger said.

With plenty of art on display and activities for all ages, this year’s art walk looks to brighten your Saturday.

“It should be a really fun year. We are super excited about seeing all our hard work come to fruition,” Roediger said.