NORWAY — Main Street will be closed to through traffic on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to allow for a pedestrian walkway through the Sidewalk Art Show.

The show is part of the Norway Arts Festival, July 11-13.

Hundreds of people are expected to descend on the downtown this weekend for the annual festival, art show and Western Foothills Land Trust Triathlon on Saturday.

Organizers say there will be more than 100 fine artists and crafters, musicians, dancers, actors, demonstrators, lecturers, exhibits and performances all along Main Street.

The Main Street closure was approved by the Board of Selectmen several years ago to address safety concerns raised by pedestrians and vendors.

Police Chief Rob Federico said officers will be posted at the detours to assist motorists in getting through to parking areas and beyond. “We’ve put out as many notices as we can,” Federico said.

There are 11 designated parking areas with directional signs posted to locate them. Sites include Butters Park, behind Fare Share Co-op, behind Town Square, behind KeyBank, at the Masonic Lodge, at three Norway Savings Bank lots, at the Town Office, behind Norway Memorial Library and behind the Guy E. Rowe School. Street parking along the detour route is not permitted.

The festival begins Thursday evening at the Norway Memorial Library with a lecture by architectural historian and author Chris Glass, who will talk about the festival’s focused feature — the art in architecture.

Activities and events continue Friday with a book sale, street dance, barbecue and other activities. On Saturday, the 46th annual Sidewalk Art Show will be held, along with live music, dance and performance arts that will continue throughout the day.

The Norway Triathlon will also be held Saturday at Pennesseewassee Park, beginning at 8 a.m. Hundreds more are expected to turn out in Norway to participate in the event or cheer on the competitors. Proceeds will be used to help continue the work of the Western Foothills Land Trust.

Organizers said the art show will feature fine art paintings, photography, three-dimensional works in metal, stone, glass and wood, as well as hand printing, lithography, jewelry, fiber arts and entertainment for both young and old. The artists, artisans and performers hail from all over Maine and New England.

The Norway Arts Festival is co-sponsored and organized by Norway Downtown and the Western Maine Art Group.

For more information about the festival, go to www.norwayartsfestival.org.

ldixon@sunjournal.com