Road trips, long and short, are full of possibilities for fun and adventure.

This week, travel enthusiasts may want to consider a relatively brief trek to Salina, where the Smoky Hill River Festival kicks off its 28th year on Thursday night.

“We have a great lineup of artists, music and activities once again this year,” says Sharon Benson, one of the festival’s three coordinators.

The community celebration includes interactive displays, juried arts and crafts shows and ongoing musical performances through Sunday in Salina’s downtown Oakdale Park. More than 100 vendors from across the nation are slated to exhibit their work.

Lawrence residents Amy Carlson and Kevin Rabas will present a collaborative project titled “Poetry Drums” at the festival. Carlson, a visual artist, designed a series of 18 plywood figures incorporating percussive instruments to accompany Rabas’ poetry.

“Each figure helps express the color of the language in Kevin’s poems,” says Carlson, who previously participated in the festival in 1997. “We think kids will love how the piece is interactive and that they can play the instruments themselves.”

The Bowery Dancers, a group of eight former and current Kansas University dance students, will mark its second anniversary with a return trip to the Salina event. The ensemble made its debut at last year’s festival.

“We’re really, really thrilled to be going back,” says Brandi Green, a 24-year-old member of the troupe. “This year we went to Salina ahead of time to work with some local students and incorporate them into our dance program. We are very excited to share our group’s knowledge with kids.”

Green says the Bowery Dancers focus mainly on modern movement, though classical ballet, jazz, tap and historical forms also permeate their repertoire.

As for the festival’s soundtrack, the music will begin Thursday evening at Festival Jam. Sixteen local and regional bands are scheduled to perform from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 15-minute rotations.

“Festival Jam is one of the real highlights of the weekend and a great way to kick things off,” Benson says.

Performances from all areas of the musical spectrum will continue throughout the festival. Lawrence band Pomeroy is set to play the Oakdale stage at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Admission to the Smoky Hill River Festival is $6 in advance or $8 at the gate. Children age 11 and younger may attend for free. A festival admission button is good for Festival Jam and all three days of the event.

“Dollar-wise, it is such a great deal for people — you can’t go wrong,” says Benson, who oversees nearly 2,000 volunteers working at the event. “Arts, music, fun and community are the cornerstones of this great festival.”