Artisan Fair Set to Go Today

The 2015 Artisan Fair is ready to go today in downtown Effingham.

Activities are scheduled from 10am to 4pm around the lawn of the old Courthouse Museum.

Works of art from regional artisans will be displayed for sale. A variety of artwork will be for sale, including pottery, paintings, jewelry and more. Over 40 artisans will set up shop at this year's fair. Demonstrations will also be going on throughout the day. Here's the schedule: 10:30am--Lori Huddleston...11am--Lana Fuller...11:30am--Becky Bechtel...1pm--Brad Shamhart...1:30pm--Lori Huddleston...2pm--Lana Fuller...2:30pm--Becky Bechtel. There will be basket and jewelry manufacturing demonstrated.

Look for the Kids Korner, featuring many free activities for kids. Kids can plant a flower to take home for Mother's Day.

There will be music on the square from 10am to 4pm. Take a lawn chair and enjoy. Here's the schedule: 10am--Bryan Headley...10:30am--Dakota Esker...11:50am--Mike Antrim...1:15pm--Andy Rueter...2:40pm--Russ Howard

Beer and wine tasting will be going on from noon to 5pm. Nine wineries are participating, and there are nine booths to taste craft beers.

You can grab a bite to eat downtown from Martin's IGA, The Gabby Goat, Sausage Haus and Wildfire Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza. Sweet treats are available from Oma Gisi's Bakery, Doris Yoder's Kitchen, Tropical Sno and Pepsi.

(ONE OF THE DISPLAYS IN THE CAN DO ART TENT. THE RED JELLO CUPS SPELL OUT "HUNGER")

Drop by the Can Do Art Tent on the east parking lot of the old Courthouse. Sponsored by Blessings in a Backpack, the mission is to fill the gap on the weekends for kids in Effingham with food bags. All food used in the sculptures on display will be used to give food bags to kids coming to the food program sponsored by Unit 40 this summer.

(A CROWD MADE UP OF CONSUMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TURNED OUT FOR THE A-R-C AUCTION AT THE AMERICAN LEGION BUILDING)

Rain played havoc with Friday night's Arts and Hearts activities, but the ARC Art Auction was held upstairs at the American Legion and featured good attendance and spirited bidding. Proceeds will benefit the ARC Art Program. The Noon Rotary Club's fundraiser winner was not decided. The winner will instead be selected at Wednesday's Noon Rotary weekly meeting. 

A performance by Jansen's Dance Center and the TREC Big Wheel races were rained out.