Arts of the Pamlico is encouraging everyone to get their hands on some art Saturday at its second-annual Hands On Art festival.

Water Street will be closed off to combine events: the AOP festival at Festival Park and Washington Harbor District Alliance’s Farmers & Artisans Market. Hands On Art runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will feature art vendors and activities geared toward the younger set, according to Debra Torrence, executive director of AOP.

“Any family or youth or adult that wants to come down to the waterfront to experience and make art is welcome,” Torrence said.

This year’s activities include clay molding, painting large wall murals, bracelet making, chalk art and paper airplanes. A more organic activity stems from the ongoing partnership between AOP and Eagle’s Wings, the local food pantry: children will be invited to make a compost bucket.

“It’s really to raise awareness about hunger in our community and show how they can make new food from old food,” Torrence said.

In addition to the projects, at 1 p.m. children are invited to participate in a children’s theater production with East Carolina University’s Storybook Theatre and hosted by ECU student and AOP intern Rachel Isaac. Musicians with the Beaufort County Traditional Music Association will be on hand to entertain festival-goers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Torrence said AOP is using funds from the City of Washington and Beaufort County to host the festival, which is part of an outreach effort.

“What we’ve tried to do this year with our public dollars is increase access to the arts for youth in our community,” she said.

The Hands On Art festival is free to the public. Festival Park is located at 119 Water St., Washington. The backup location, in case of bad weather, will be the Turnage Theatre, located at 150 W. Main St.