High above the 10-acre meadow behind Open Space for Arts & Community, expect to see daring aerial acts when more than a dozen artists perform in the annual Open Air Outdoor Aerial Festival at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26.

Festivities will open with the Acid Washed Marching Band, an upbeat Seattle micro-marching band known to play a mix of jazz and New Orleans second line, with a bit of hip hop and pop thrown in. The group played on the main stage at the Oregon County Fair in July.

Audience members typically are treated to a backdrop of Mount Rainier while the Vashon and Northwest aerialists take to the sky to exhibit their grace, skill and athleticism.

Performers this summer will include UpSwing Aerial with Cherie Carson, Lynelle Sjoberg, Josie Slade, Madeline Schroeder, the Dreame Frohe & PJ duet and Annie Crawford. Gravity-defying Esther Edelman and company will add to the line-up, along with the hand-balancing Aly Komarzec, fabric dancer Laura Miller, Martha Enson and Abby Enson. Janet McAlpin is producing the event.

The artists have learned and performed acrobatics in the U.S., China, Mexico and throughout Europe. Many of them have received international awards for their aerial performances.

Event organizers said to expect a surprise emcee, maybe a previous guest character or two and student aerialists of the UMO School of Physical Arts showing off their skilled acts.

Before and after the performance, in the Kinetic Sculpture Garden, the kinetic art exhibition and putt-putt golf will be open for all to enjoy.

Admission to “Open Air” is by donation, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

The audience is encouraged to bring a picnic and a blanket or folding chairs.