Last Wednesday, Unfair Park broke the news that a decision was going to be made that would “ROCK Fair Park.” Unfounded speculations were encouraged.

Today, Fair Park manager Daniel Huerta briefed the city council. The City Arts Festival is moving out of the Arts District and over to Fair Park May 7-9.

Not exactly the Adult Entertainment Expo, as one Unfair Park commenter eagerly suggested, but you know, it does present an interesting urban shift across downtown. And as the CAF site says, “The free, community-based festival will encompass the Esplanade, the Automobile Building, Court of Honor, and the Lagoon. Festivities will be held both indoors and out and will include free admission to the Fair Park’s outstanding museums during specific hours.”

A collection of Art Cars – drivable works of art that have been modified as art to reflect the personal artistic impression of owners – will also be on display.

The always-popular juried Art MarketPlace, coordinated by The 500 Inc., will expand this year under the banner of ARTFEST at CityArts. For more than half of its 40-year existence, ARTFEST has taken place in Fair Park over Memorial Day weekend, attracting more than 200 visual artists from throughout the country and huge audiences of art aficionados.

Beginning in May 2010, ARTFEST will officially move into the CityArts Celebration, doubling the size of the art show component and firmly establishing CityArts as Dallas’ premier arts festival.