Although it’s four months away, planning for this year’s MATTIE Arts & Seafood Festival is underway.

Set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at 10 Oyster Creek St., Swan Quarter, the festival promises live music, food, artists and their work, games and a raffle. There is no charge to attend the festival. The festival, formerly known as the MATTIE Arts & Crafts Festival, benefits Friends of Hyde County’s Historic Courthouse and MATTIE Arts Center.

“This is our big, annual fund raising event that we rely on for helping to continue providing the area with an exposure of art through local classes and art gallery offerings. This, in turn, creates income and revenue for our county,” Patrice Bertke, program administrator for the arts center, wrote in an email. “The MATTIE Arts Fall festival has evolved in the past 5​ years from the Hyde County Down East Arts and Crafts Festival​ into what is now the MATTIE Arts and Seafood festival with local Seafood industries promoting and educating the public on all the benefits that they provide.

“Again this year we will have live music throughout the day, kids and adult activities, a $5 – 50/50 raffle, cake walk and bake sale provided by local expert bakers of the community, seafood vendors, and, of course, very talented local and regional artists demonstrating and offering items for sale. A great time to start your holiday shopping. And we are pursuing plans for a craft beer and wine garden off the immediate premises for adult refreshment.

“This is part of a community event that includes the huge, annual community yard sale, the Swan Quarter Fire department serving fish or shrimp, the Courthouse Bell project fundraiser, and more to be announced.

“We hope to top last year’s record-breaking attendance with more games, activities, and ART!”