The Moss Rock Festival, a unique outdoor fall event and a celebration of the connections between art, design and the natural world, is scheduled to return to The Preserve in Hoover for the fourth year on Nov. 7-8.  The festival offers a wide variety of exhibits and activities.

On the event’s “Artist Row,” juried artists in various media will show over 5000 works, and their art will help to reinforce an environmental theme. “Most of what we show is inspired by or depicts nature, or uses recycled material to repurpose or revision things,” according to festival director Eileen Kunzman.

Artist Tracey Lewis and her work at a recent MRF

In an area called “etc. spaces,” artists, architects and landscape designers will display structures, sculptures and installations that are designed to enhance or accentuate various open spaces on the festival site. “All those brilliant minds, I just love the way they think,” Kunzman says.

The “Eco-Ideas” area will feature eco-friendly ideas, designs and products from various vendors and environmental groups.

There will be interactive projects for kids, something that Kunzman says is particularly important. “The children who come, we are bringing them outside and teaching them how to walk away from the TV or computer and make something, create something,” she says.

Guests can also take part in a geo-location game with prizes or take a guided hike. There will be live entertainment and food and drink, including a tasting of high gravity beers called the BrewHaHa,  and Nature’s Cake, a chance to sample the handiwork of top cake designers and bakers.

Admission is free. The hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Visitors can park their cars at Regions Park and take shuttle buses to the event.

For information, call (205) 595-6306 or visit www.mossrockfestival.com.