Organizers of this week's Arts and Heritage Festival in Washington really seem to know how to pack a schedule. In addition to nearly 25 entertainers performing live on two stages all day, every day from Thursday through next Sunday, there will be a bloated roster of events sure to please everyone, regardless of age.

In addition to popular entertainers such as Joe Grushecky and CRAVE, an up-and-coming R&B band from Pittsburgh considered to be the next Boys 2 Men, songstress Jen Chapin, daughter of the late singer Harry Chapin, will perform at two concerts.

Her first venue, scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, will be a ticketed event at the Washington Community Arts and Cultural Center that will open an exhibit of sculpture, paintings and fine jewelry by renowned Italian artist Fabrizio Orlandini. Her second concert, a free event at 7:30 p.m. Friday, will take place on the festival's south stage at Main and Wheeling streets.

"We're offering something for everyone in the hope of making the festival a fun, safe and enjoyable experience," said Matt Staniszewski, city councilman and festival co-chair along with Washington Mayor Ken Westcott. "We expect to draw close to 40,000 people over the four days, aided by the fact that the festival is being held at the same time as W&J's homecoming weekend."

On the opening day Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Charlie Batch will be in town to receive the key to the city and become Mayor for the Day. Mr. Batch will referee an eating contest between five W&J offensive line football players, who'll take on five W&J defensive line players to see which team can down the most Shorty's hot dogs or Carmella's pizza. Money raised by the players from this event will be donated to the Washington County Food Bank.

For the first time in the city's history, fireworks will be set off at 9 p.m. Saturday from a building in the uptown area. From 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, there will be a special children's area called Art in the Alley, where children can enjoy art-related activities such as face painting, dancing, a story hour on Saturday courtesy of Citizens Library and other art activities.

The Washington Idol Contest returns for the second year with even bigger cash prizes. The contest will start Thursday on both stages, and the finals will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday with a first-place prize of $1,000.

On Saturday, tours will be held at four historic locations -- the LeMoyne House; the Washington County Courthouse; the Washington Train Station, which will have a World War II display; and the David Bradford House.

"Starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, we'll re-enact David Bradford's escape from the federal militia during the Whiskey Rebellion," said Clay Kilgore, administrator of the historic David Bradford House.

Because many early settlers who moved west in the 18th and 19th centuries passed through Washington on the National Road, the Citizens Library has amassed an extensive genealogy department. From 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday, the library will hold a genealogy seminar at the historic George Washington Hotel, highlighting the resources available to those wanting to learn more about their ancestors. During the session, the library will display its copy of the Mayflower logbook.

During the festival, never-before-seen drawings by renowned local artist Malcolm Parcell will be displayed at the World West Galleries, 56 N. Main St. in Washington.

"The drawings are pieces in the artist's possession at the time of his death," gallery owner Peter West said. "They include a couple of fabulous nudes of his wife, Helen, that have already caught the eye of Parcell aficionados."

From 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, the World West Galleries will hold a silent auction of work by its gallery artists such as Ray Forquer and Charles Pitcher as well as a Parcell oil portrait of C.W. "Butter" Hughes, businessman and part-owner of the racehorse, Adios.

The Artist Co-op will hold a number of demonstrations and classes for people interested in learning about art throughout the festival, and the Watermark Galleries will hold a special silent auction from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.

"The four-day festival should be a fun-filled event and we're looking forward to a large turnout," Mr. Staniszewski said.

For a complete list of events, times and locations, log on to www.washingtonpa.us/ahfest.html or phone 724-225-2781.