Get ready, Alexandria. Del Ray’s signature event is almost here.

The 17th incarnation of Art on The Avenue, a multi-cultural arts festival celebrating the community’s diversity, is scheduled for Saturday rain or shine.

The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Mount Vernon Avenue between Hume and Bellefonte avenues.

More than 330 artists and craftspeople will set up booths along Mount Vernon to display and sell their work, including jewelers, silversmiths, woodworkers, pottery makers, soap crafters, glass artists, painters, sculptures, fabric artists and more.

There will also be five stages featuring live music, free children’s craft activities and performances, food vendors and a pie-baking competition.

For a list of musical performances, check out the full schedule.

The festival, which is run entirely by volunteers with the support of local businesses, drew more than 50,000 attendees from throughout the region in 2010. Rain cut into the attendance last year but didn’t dampen the experience.

Saturday’s weather forecast calls for a mix of sun and clouds with high temperatures in the mid 70s. There’s a chance for rain in the evening.

DASH will provide free transportation to the festival from Braddock Road Metro Station. Much of Mount Vernon Avenue will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, visit the festival website. Interested in volunteering? Learn more.