The NorthWestival 2011, a celebration of Northwest music, art and food, will be Sept. 24 at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds in Hermiston.

The festival starts at noon and continues through midnight featuring live music from all genres, food vendors from around the region and a selection of artworks by various Mid-Columbia artists.

The festival is the brain child of Cary Hays, a Hermiston native, who spent several years exploring the Mid-Columbia's music culture in search of talent and knowledge of the music business.

What he discovered were hundreds of talented musicians, singers and songwriters, countless modern visual and graphic artists, clothing designers, producers and promoters.

Admission to the event is $12 in advance or $15 at the gate with kids 12 and younger free. Tickets are available at Desert Lanes Bowling Center in Hermiston or at www.hideousclothingstore.com.

For more information, call Hays at 509-991-6254.