The four-day La Quinta Arts Festival opens Thursday.
      The festival, which goes through Sunday, will feature 230 contemporary  artists exhibiting their work at the La Quinta Civic Center.
      The event is ranked the No. 1 fine art festival in the country by Art  Fair SourceBook, a guide for art and craft fairs in the United States,  according to organizers. There will be live entertainment, food from local  restaurants, and beer and wine.
      Proceeds from the La Quinta Arts Festival raises money for the La Quinta  Arts Foundation.
      Daily festival tickets are $12; a multi-day pass is $15. Children under  12 are free. For information or tickets, contact the festival at (760) 564-1244  or go to www.lqaf.com.