The Leeds Downtown Folk Festival and John Henry Celebration on Sept. 19 and 20 has added a Patron Purchase Program this year.

The Patron Purchase Program invites arts patrons to support our festival artists by making a financial commitment to purchase art from the artisans at the festival.

Patrons participate in the program by purchasing one or more award ribbons, which are available in increments of $25, $50 and $100. Patrons will be given a ribbon to present to the artist of their choosing at the festival. The patron will also receive LDFF Bucks in the amount of their ribbon purchase to use toward their purchase with the artisan.

Those who participate in the program are invited to attend the Friday Night Artist Welcoming Reception and to shop early on Saturday before the festival begins.

To participate in the Patron Purchase Program, send an e-mail to leedsartscouncil@windstream.net or call 205-699-1892 for a Patron Purchase application. Applications that include checks may be delivered to the arts center or mailed to Leeds Arts Council, P.O. Box 684, Leeds, AL 35094. Make checks payable to the Leeds Downtown Folk Festival.

Patrons can pick up their LDFF ribbons at the information tent during the festival or at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center prior to the event.