Artown brings the outer reaches of imagination to the center of attention in a calendar noted by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of the most comprehensive festival offerings in the country.

Each July, Artown asks all who will to leave the beaten path for arts unknown, to join with distinguished artists from down the street, across the country, and around the world for a month-long celebration of cultural diversity and artistic innovation. To experience the best and the latest in visual, performing and humanities arts-more than 350 events, all counted-from those who want nothing more than to entertain, to inspire, and yes, to impress the 350,000 people that experience the festival annually.

Some of the big names performing and appearing at this year's festival include Joan Baez, Tiempo Libre, Missoula Children's Theatre, Cirque de la Symphonie and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe.

For a closer look at the hundreds of events -- many of them free -- visit http://renoisartown.com.