Townies got their groove on at the annual pre-Art Fairs Bash Monday. Photo by Mark Bialek for AnnArbor.com

Townies were out in full force in Ann Arbor Monday.

The Townie Street Party, a community pre-party leading up to the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, brought in more than 10,000 people.

The crowd came to North University and Ingalls Mall to enjoy live music, food and, of course, art.

“Last year we felt was a huge success,” said Karen Delhey, one of the event organizers. “This year it blew us away.”

Delhey attributed this year’s growth — up more than 2,500 attendees — to increased social media and exposure on such sites as Facebook.

Headlining this year was Bill Kirchen and the Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods — who, along with the Third Coast Kings and Michael Smith and his Cadillac Cowboys — kept local residents on their feet and rockin’ out throughout the evening.

Also increasing in size this year was the party’s Creative Collection, featuring representatives from nearly 30 area arts and cultural organizations spread throughout two tents.

“The arts and culture sector is really important in Washtenaw County,” said Angela Martin-Barcelona, marketing director for the Arts Alliance. “It’s nice to see people out here having fun.”

Adults and children tried their hand designing tiles, making hats and playing musical instruments as they met with area musicians, artists and theater groups.

Next door, the Kids’ Art Fair offered visitors a warm-up to Wednesday’s massive art fairs. The children’s fair offered everything from homemade jewelry to crayon drawings to paper mache fish.

Seven-year-old Charles Racine sold hand-carved wooden animals he made with his father.

Six-year-old Santana Malnaik, a second-year Kids’ Art Fair veteran, decided to switch from selling drawings to photos this year.

“I just like to enjoy it, and it’s fun,” she said.

And enjoyment is what it’s all about, said Julie Picknell, another event organizer.

“This party is to celebrate the Art Fairs,” she said. “I hope they leave excited about showing up Wednesday - the whole purpose is to celebrate the arts and each other.”