As summer gives way to a new school year, the days are slowly dulling to clockwork schedules and mundane activities. But the fun doesn’t have to stop just yet, thanks to SketchFest Seattle 2008.

Already in its tenth year, SketchFest has gained national recognition while entertaining locally. This year, the four-day festival features acts from Los Angeles, New York and Chicago performing alongside homegrown talent of the Northwest. Regional troupes include Ubiquitous They, All American Push Up Party and The Cody Rivers Show.

Andrew Connor, three-time SketchFest performer and half of Bellingham’s The Cody Rivers Show, has taken part in the administrative process this year, making his debut as artistic director. The comedian is grateful for the exposure SketchFest has brought to his group.

“It feels good to be able to contribute to the festival on the administrative side of things,” Connor said. “I feel indebted to SketchFest for kick-starting our career as touring performers.”

One of his duties as artistic director was choosing the performers for SketchFest 2008.

“We have a jury comprised of staff members, board members and friends of the festival that review applications submitted through an open application process,” Connor said.

The jury then sifts through these to pick the best the country has to offer. This year, the chosen include 17 performing groups from Seattle, New York City and beyond.

“Seattle is just a great comedy and theater town,” Connor said. “The world of sketch lies at the nexus of those two communities,”

Of course, no comedy event in Seattle would be the same without two of the city’s most celebrated groups.

“We have drafted groups of performers from The People’s Republic of Komedy, which is Seattle’s home of alternative stand-up, as well as Unexpected Productions, one of Seattle’s oldest and most established improv institutions, to develop unique shows for the festival,” Connor explained.

Though comedy as entertainment is the focus of SketchFest, the Seattle Forum on Professional Comedy, a special event on Saturday, will give aspiring comedic performers and curious attendees alike the chance to receive an insightful discussion on the business side of the industry.

Also implemented this year is The Incredible Shrinking Ticket. Starting at $15, each subsequent ticket bought by an individual drops $5 in price, until the fourth ticket is free. This is just one of many innovations SketchFest has added, and the lineup of acts doesn’t look too bad either.

For more information on performers, ticket availability and directions, visit http://www.sketchfest.org. SketchFest Seattle runs Sept. 24-27, 2008.

Reach reporter Edwin Ortiz at arts@dailyuw.com.