When Ron and Nannette Davis got involved in Artfest more than 30 years ago, they thought it would be a good networking tool to meet other young professionals.

JOHN YATES/Special Contributor

Jean Montfort is among the artists who return to Artfest year after year. This year's event is Friday at Fair Park, with more than 200 artists expected to participate.

The Dallas couple took their young family to the annual festival. Little did they know that their daughter, April, would one day run the organization.

"I remember as a kid there being a big maze, which was made out of boxes, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever," said April Davis, director of Artfest 2008. "My parents volunteered for Artfest before I was born and then took me to several when I was young. I am honored to continue the tradition."

Ms. Davis is also vice president of The 500, Inc., a volunteer group that has supported local arts organizations over the last 39 years. Artfest is its major annual fundraiser.

When Ms. Davis moved back home to Dallas in 2003 after college, her parents encouraged her to get involved in the organization to meet people, as they had done years before. Soon Ms. Davis found herself serving on one of the advisory panels, and from there it blossomed into a full-time position.

"I loved doing it," she said. "The people I got to work with and the friends I got to make – it's hard to describe what an amazing organization it is and the camaraderie."

At a recent planning meeting, she was reminiscing about the children's maze that she enjoyed as a 6-year-old when a woman seated behind her said she crafted the maze and ran the festival's children's area that year.

Others, too, have been involved with The 500, Inc. for years. Susan and Addison Wilson III, who are honorary co-chairs of Artfest 2008, were presidents of the organization in 1974-75.

The event was held in Addison, but less than large crowds over the past few years caused organizers to rethink the location. "They thought they'd get more people in Addison, but that didn't occur," said McKee Smith, president of The 500, Inc. "Fair Park has a very good infrastructure for having festivals. Most people in Dallas know where it is, and it's very easy access off the freeway."

Last year, Artfest raised $30,000, and funds were distributed to 11 area arts organizations. Since its inception, the group has raised more than $12 million to help musical, dramatic, visual and performing arts organizations. Beneficiaries have included the Dallas Chamber Music Society, USA Film Festival, Shakespeare Dallas and Dallas Center for Contemporary Art.

Karen McDonough is a freelance writer in Frisco.

karenwriter@yahoo.com