BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — The stage is set for Artoberfest 2014, the Benton Harbor Arts District’s largest annual festival.

On Sept. 20 from noon to 9 p.m., Artoberfest 2014 will showcase musical talent, Michigan breweries and wineries and beautiful artwork by some of the most creative local artists.

Artoberfest is an outdoor festival located at 164 Park Street (behind the Livery Microbrewery). Free entrance to festival grounds from noon to 4 p.m. (suggested donation of $5); after 4 p.m. Adults $5, under 21 still free. All proceeds will benefit the New Territory Arts Association’s Art Advocacy Programming and Scholarship Fund for local youth.

The Artoberfest festival offers fun activities for the entire family.

Beginning at 1 p.m., “The Emerging Artist Stage” proudly presents young musicians who were selected from the many talented performers who have graced NTAA’s Open Stage at the Livery (1st Monday of every month). Enjoy some of best local talent with performances by Meredith George, Benton Harbor, SonorCentric, Eau Claire/St. Joseph, and The Sypian Family Band, Berrien Springs.

This year features two headliner bands, Kane and Steele and Nobody’s Darlin’. Starting at 4.30 p.m., the Ann Arbor duo of Kane and Steele will bring “street swing and stomp blues,” an original style that pays homage to the music from the streets of Harlem to the juke joints of Mississippi. In addition to playing on the Artoberfest main stage, Kane and Steele will be teaching a master class in Benton Harbor later this year. At 6 pm, Nobody’s Darlin’, Grand Rapids’ all-girl, string band will take the stage with a performance guaranteed to have you dancing and singing along.

The Artoberfest Art Fair will showcase local and regional professional and student artists from noon-7p.m. Visitors can discover jewelry, tie-dye, fashion, painting, sculpture, photography, glasswork, and much more.

Michigan ranks in the top 20 craft beer states in the U.S. with 131 craft breweries and counting, Artoberfest will feature microbrews from all over the “Mitten” plus a few national surprises. Selections from Berrien County’s White Pine Winery will also be available.

ArtoberFOOD combines local and regional specialties: Larks & Son BBQ, wood-fired pizza by Camzie’s Pizza, and the eclectic burgers and hotdogs from Harbor Dogs and Sliders.

The New Territory Arts Association (NTAA) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to the revitalization of Benton Harbor through the arts. Founded in 1998 it has been responsible for many special Arts District events and arts-related community programming.

For more information about Artoberfest or to volunteer for this or other NTAA events and activities, contact: info@newterritoryarts.org or visit www.newterritoryarts.org.

Sponsors of Artoberfest 2014 include: Main Stage Sponsors: The Whirlpool Foundation, CULink, Silver Beach Pizza; Gold Sponsors: Boulevard Inn & Bistro, Krasl Art Center, and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches.