Boston started a new tradition Saturday at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End with the first Boston Arts Festival, which showcased more than 75 visual and 15 performing artists from the Boston area.

‘These performances reflect Boston’s rich cultural diversity, complement the visual arts on display and help create a truly memorable experience for everyone,’ said Mayor Thomas Menino, who presented two awards for Outstanding Visual Art.

Gail Giarrusso received an award for two-dimensional art for her work in photography and Jill Solomon received an award for three-dimensional art for her ceramic work.

‘I was impressed by all the great artists and their works in the Boston area, but I feel these two artists deserve special recognition for their work and talent,’ Menino said.

As the day progressed, the aisles became crowded with people looking at the displays of the participating artists. When they were finished looking at the exhibits, attendees watched several performances on the open lawn overlooking Boston Harbor.

Festival-goers were able to view and purchase any of the local artists’ works on exhibit. Artists were selling a wide variety of items ranging from paintings, ceramics and jewelry to photography and glassware. Participants were also able to create their own watercolor paintings while sitting near the harbor.

Vibha Patel, a Boston University sophomore, attended the festival and said she found the art exhibit to be the most exciting event because ‘in one place you see so much talent and you can also be a part of it through the free watercolor activity they provide.’

BU sophomore Carolyn Oakes said she liked the opportunity to see Boston culture for free.

‘I love this new event and I am glad that I am out in the city doing things because Boston always has something to offer,’ Oakes said. ‘I am always looking for something to do, and this event is free. Why would I not want to come?’

While many viewed the art exhibits on display, others sat and enjoyed the last days of summer around the stage in front of the harbor.

Many of Boston’s popular performance groups, including the Boston Ballet, Boston Jazz Repertory Orchestra and Boston Lyric Opera, previewed their upcoming fall schedule to encourage the public to attend other cultural activities in the Boston area. Other small stage groups performed, such as the Chu Ling Dance Academy and the Mavi Dance Group.

The Mavi Dance Group performed traditional dances based on Irish and Turkish folk dance, while the Chu Ling Dance Academy danced classic Chinese routines.

‘I’ve never seen anything like it before,’ said Sarah Dunn, a Longy School of Music student, of the Chu Ling Dance Academy performers. ‘Their choreography was amazing and their costumes were beautiful.’