11th Annual Effingham Artisan Fair This Weekend

Each year, downtown Effingham is transformed into an artist’s mecca as artists from all over the region set up shop on the lawn of the Historic Courthouse Museum and surrounding downtown area in Effingham. The 11th annual Effingham Artisan Fair is this weekend.

Head downtown Friday night and join the Effingham community for the “Arts & Hearts” celebration. They are again expanding to include an “Artist Soft Opening,” where a majority of the artists will display their art for the community one day early. From 5 to 8 p.m. a variety of events will be held to raise awareness for the arts in the community, including a live art auction benefiting Community Support Systems (C.S.S.), not-for-profit community informational booths, Jansen’s Dance Performance and some TREC activities. Jansen’s Dance will perform downtown to kick-off the event at 5:00 p.m. on Fourth Street. TREC will also be sponsoring a Kids Bike Decorating Contest from 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., a Kids Bike Race from 5:30-5:45 p.m. and the ever-popular TREC Big Wheel Races from 5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The C.S.S. Art Auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. They will also have live music to look forward to from 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. on Friday night and again on Saturday. In addition, they’ve brought back beer sampling to the wine sampling event. This year you can look forward to walking the Courthouse Square while enjoying your samples of wine or beer. Friday evening will also include a food fair featuring Martin’s IGA, Wildfire Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza, Dad’s Smokin’ Butt BBQ and the Sausage Haus. They’re also offering some specialty food for food-lovers, including Oma Gisi’s German Bakery, The Cookie Jar and Tropical Sno both Friday and Saturday.

Head back downtown Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Artisan Fair where downtown is transformed into an art gallery with works from over 40 artists, on display for purchase. The Sculpture on the Avenues outdoor exhibition will officially open this weekend too. Stop by the Information Booth for a Culture Guide and walk downtown and learn more about the beautiful sculptures in our city.

Artwork for sale includes oil paintings, pottery, jewelry, and sculptures. Several artists will demonstrate their craft at the event.

As mentioned, as part of the event, the Artisan Fair features wine and beer sampling. There will be regional wineries and several different craft beers available for sampling. This event will be open from 5 – 10 p.m. Friday and 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday.

Other activities during the Artisan Fair on Saturday include the Effingham Public Library’s “Effing-HAM 5K,” Kids Korner, food fair, and live musical entertainment near the wine tent. The Effingham County Courthouse Museum will also be open both Friday evening and Saturday for tours. Check out the Effingham Artisan Fair’s website for more details on times at www.effinghamartisanfair.com.

There will also be an added bonus for Saturday in the downtown area. The Effingham Central Business Group is again sponsoring the “Downtown Spring Fling” from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in conjunction with the fair. Visit your favorite downtown businesses to discover new spring trends, products, fashions, foods and fun! Enjoy refreshments, savings and events!

Be sure to pick up your Passport to the Spring Fling at the Effingham Central Business Group booth (on the Courthouse lawn) before making your way downtown for a chance to win a gift basket full of gift cards and goodies valued at $300.

The Effingham Artisan Fair continues to be a favorite with new events and booths added each year.

For more information about the Artisan Fair, phone 800-772-0750 or 217-342-5310. Also, visit www.effinghamartisanfair.com or their Facebook page “Effingham Artisan Fair.”