Olympia's twice-yearly Arts Walk is one of the city's biggest events - and this year the fall edition will be bigger than ever.

Expanding from one day to two, Arts Walk XLIII will happen Friday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., throughout downtown Olympia.

"It's more art goodness at Arts Walk," says Stephanie Johnson, the city's arts and events manager.

The April event, held in conjunction with the Procession of the Species, happens on a Friday and a Saturday. But the October walk has traditionally been held Friday night only.

Since the city has been cutting back on the events it hosts, the expansion of this one is unexpected news.

"Budgets are being cut, so we have to be more creative to make things happen," Johnson says. "We can't really start a new event, but for little to no cost, we can expand a popular one."

Businesses are normally open during those Saturday hours, anyway, she points out.

"Artists do a lot of work to put up a show for Arts Walk," she says. "They are creating work; they are framing work. Businesses make space for artists to hang work or they make space for performances, and if we can make that time invested and those resources invested stretch further by extending the time of the event, that's a good thing."

Business owners have long been requesting the change, she says. "I also heard from someone who does accommodations that it's better when Arts Walk is two days, because more people come to town to check it out.

"It's an idea that has been kicked around for a while and it just came together this year."

The city's popular children's area outside The Washington Center for the Performing Arts (512 Washington St. SE, Olympia) will be offered Friday night only.

"We will most likely close off Washington and Fifth on Saturday, but we're not doing any programming," Johnson says. "That space would still be available for impromptu acoustic music and impromptu performances."

Registration forms for artists and businesses who want to participate in Arts Walk XLIII are available at The Olympia Center (222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia). Call 360.753.8380, or go to olympiawa.gov/parks. Registration deadline is Friday, July 15, at 7 p.m.