More than 20,000 people showed up at the West Valley College campus on May 1 to admire and buy art, and to take part in the daylong festivities.

Through the years--the show turned 48 this year--the event has built a reputation as one of the biggest single-day art shows in the South Bay. About 175 artists, including painters, ceramists, graphic artists and photographers, displayed their works this year.

Maria Drake said that the Saratoga Rotary Club expected to raise about $80,000 this year. Several non-profit and charitable organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Teen and Family Counseling Center have benefited from the event in the past.

Gordon Case, chairman of the show this year, said that more than 200 volunteers including friends and spouses of Rotarians had worked to make the show possible this year.

"The major selling point of the show is that it is a family affair. It is a community event where children can have fun and so can their grandparents," said Case. "Over the years, we have raised more than $1.6 million from this event."

Participating artists contribute 30 percent of their sales proceeds to the Rotary. In return, the organizers help the artists set up their tents, pay the sales tax and provide security.

A special raffle, with a three-year lease on a new Mercedes C230 or $10,000 in cash as the grand prize, was an added attraction. Other draws included a special kids' zone, musicians and jugglers.

A major attraction every year at the show is the Saratoga Pepperbelly, a culinary concoction made out of French roll, Italian sausage and a secret sauce.

"We sold around 800 pepperbellies today," said Norm Damico, the show's food chairman. Hamburgers, hot dogs and chocolate dipped strawberries were other food items being sold at the event.

Some families brought their dogs to the show, others more exotic pets.

Helen Shaw, a Saratoga resident, brought Doctor Peaches, her pet cockatoo. Perched on Shaw's shoulder, the bird sometimes attracted more attention than the art works on display.

"We are both supporting the Rotary's fundraising efforts," Shaw said as her pet bird seemed to nod in vigorous agreement.

"I like the relaxed ambience here," said Pendy Pendyala, another Saratoga resident. "There's a lot to choose from."

"We always try to maintain a good balance of artists. This is to ensure that there is something for everyone's budget," said Mary Fleischli, artist coordinator for the show. Fleischli said that most of the artists had been selected in January.

Ellyna Berglund, an artist who works with chalk pastels, said that she had sold nine paintings through the day.

"People come to this show to buy originals. They understand art and they understand the prices," she said. "Since this is a one day show; they come to buy."