PAWTUCKET - Get ready for three weekends packed with fun and inexpensive things to do.

From seeing the Counting Crows on Friday, Aug. 24 at McCoy Stadium to a Family Fun Fest at Slater Mill, there's something for everyone at the 9th annual Pawtucket Arts Festival, which kicks off on Aug. 24 and concludes Sept. 16.

According to Herb Weiss, Pawtucket's economic and cultural affairs officer, the city's arts festival has grown leaps and bounds in the last eight years through the generous support of the business community.

"We started off with a budget of $15,000 and now we have a budget of $115,000," said Weiss. "This is probably one of the biggest things around."

Weiss said that all but three of the dozens of activities offered over three weekends are free to the public.

One of these events is the McCoy Stadium concert by Counting Crows. Tickets are $56.50, however, that includes free admission for a child under age 12. The doors for this event open at 5:30 p.m.

Weiss said 6,000 tickets have already been sold but there are plenty still available. Those wanting to purchase tickets may call 724-7300.

The other two events require only a $10 admission fee.

The first is the Festival Gala on Friday, Sept. 7 at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main St. from 6 to 10:30 p.m.

The event features a Taste of Pawtucket where dozens of local restaurants, bakeries, and cafes will share their culinary delights with attendees. A variety of foods will be available, said Weiss.

Preparing these treats are Volcano Grill, Spumoni's, The Blackstone, Rasoi, Galita's L.J. Barbecue, Hose Company No. 6, Ground Round, Local Hero Deli, East Avenue Café, Bachini's Bakery, Seven Star Bakery, Domino's Pizza, McDonald's, Tolos, Cross Country Cookie, Jarosz Deli, Gregg's, Entenmann's, and New Harvest Coffee. Coastal Wine New England, Town Wine Spirits, and Budweiser will also have beverages for adults.

In addition to the food, visitors can enjoy Celtic music by The Gnomes from 6 to 8 p.m. and C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The other event which requires a purchased ticket is the Mirror Image Festival which will occur Aug. 25, 26, 27 and Sept. 14, 15, and 16. Each night features a film followed by a musical performance. Light fare will also be served, all for $10 per person, per night.

Perhaps the most anticipated event is the return of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Pops in the Park featuring conductor Francisco Noya. This event, sponsored by the Pawtucket Teachers' Alliance, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow the performance. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 16.

The Slater Mill Family Fun Fest is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 9 at 67 Roosevelt Ave. Sponsored by the Matlet Group, the free event features food, arts and crafts, hands-on activities for kids, face painting, a rock climbing wall, a 25-foot inflatable obstacle course and free ice cream from the MIX 98.5 Ice Cream Truck.

The event also includes a musical performance by Slippery Sneakers Zydeco, storyteller Mark binder, a production of "The Little Mermaid" by All Children's theater, and a table art workshop for the library with Sandra Solomon.

A 23-foot sculpture by Pawtucket-based artist Donald Gerola will be dedicated during the event as well.

Another Family Fun Night is scheduled for Friday, Sept, 7 when the Pawtucket YMCA sponsors family friendly activities in the parking lot of the Visitor Center. There will be a rock climbing wall, face painting, bouncy house and inflatable obstacle course. In addition, there will be a special showing of "Shrek the Third" in the visitor center's theater.

On Sept. 15 the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket will present national Kids Day and Battle of the Bands at One Moeller Place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For those who have always wanted to take in a show at the Gamm Theatre, the festival is offering free admission to the theater's Sept. 5 performance of "The Elephant Man." Tickets will become available at noon for the 7 p.m. performance. Each person will be able to obtain two tickets to the show. Tickets will be available at the Blackstone Valley visitor Center, the Pawtucket Library, the mayor's office in city Hall and the Gamm Theatre. Donations will be accepted at the door.

The Stone Soup Folk Fest will be held on Sept. 15 and 16. Sponsored by Cox Media, the weekend will be filled with music, cultural performances, artist booths and Raku demonstrations by Dew Claw Studio. Visitors can browse and shop at numerous one-of-a-kind art vendor booths and experience a variety of musical performances including Dave Rowe trio, Magnolia Cajun Band, Santa mamba, Mamba Swing, Jerimoth Hill and Forever Young, a Neil Young Tribute band.

The Hope Artist Village will hold its 2nd annual open house at 1005 Main St. from 6 p.m. to midnight with free food, music and an artist showcase.

Of course, the festival isn't complete without the Dragon Boat Race & Taiwan Day Festival. This year it's scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8 at the School Street Pier where rowing teams from across the country will race up and down the Blackstone River vying for cash prizes during the all-day event.

The day includes a performance by the Chinese Folk Art Workshop and a variety of traditional craft demonstrations.

"This is an opportunity to start bringing up kids in art and music," said Weiss. "It's one of the things we strive for."

For more information regarding the festival, including a complete scheduled of events, visit pawtucketartsfestival.org.