This weekend, Bob Gent will load up his car with a colorful inventory of glass bowls, plates and vases and make the less-than-a-mile journey from his house to South Park for the Lawrence Art Guild’s annual Art in the Park.

The outdoor art exhibition, now its 53rd cycle, is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. This year’s event will feature the work of more than 125 artists, ranging in disciplines from photography to ceramics to jewelry. Food vendors, live music and children’s activities are also on the agenda.

“It’s just a fun, family-friendly event. People from all around town come out and enjoy the beautiful spring day,” said LAG president Amanda Monaghan. “And, I think this is our biggest event that we’ve ever had.”

Monaghan said she expects about 25,000 people to attend this year’s festival.

It’s become a tradition for Gent, who has participated in Art in the Park on and off for about 25 years. The Lawrence resident uses glass to create playful, vibrantly hued items such as door pulls, Christmas ornaments and hand-blown lamps.

Gent, 53, first studied glasswork at the University of Tulsa in the early 80s and moved to Lawrence shortly after graduation. After 30 years of working with glass, Gent said he never tires of the material.

“Nothing else behaves like glass does, and I am just constantly amazed what can be done with it, and what you can do within the confines and the rules that glass has to follow,” Gent said. “There are some spectacular colors and other visual effects that are available with glass that are very inspiring to me.”

Gent, who operates two studios in town, works several odd jobs in addition to glassblowing. He said Art in the Park gives him an opportunity to interact with fellow artists and the general public.

“It’s your chance to get in contact with people that are actively making stuff. Ask them questions, learn about how they do it directly and why,” Gent said. “You can get something and have a deep, close connection with it that I think really makes a difference in people’s lives, especially with decorative work.”