Artisan Fair kicks off today
EFFINGHAM, Apr 27, 2012 (Menafn - Effingham Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Live celebrity statues, canned food sculptures and an extra day of art displays are some of the newest additions to Effingham's Artisan Fair, kicking off with Arts and Hearts today at 5 p.m. on the lawn of the former Effingham County Courthouse.
In previous years, the approximately 35 to 40 artists who set up displays and showed off their craft didn't do so until Saturday morning the weekend of the fair. This year, around 10 artists will be downtown today for an Artist's Soft Opening.
"We're excited about that," said Tourism Director Jodi Jackson, adding that she's hoping the early arrival will expand more next year.
Business and organizational teams will pair up to create Can Do Art, similar to CANstruction, this evening. Can Do is much simpler than CANstruction, since there are fewer rules and an engineer isn't necessary. Teams will build sculptures out of canned goods and fairgoers can vote for their favorites with pennies. All canned goods and proceeds will benefit the Catholic Charities food pantry.
Live celebrity statues will be on the lawn from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today, and fairgoers can vote for their favorite with donations. Whichever human statue earns the most proceeds wins. All donations benefit Relay for Life.
Ten wineries are participating in the wine tasting event, scheduled for 5 to 10 p.m. New this year is beer tasting, with four craft beers to taste.
Saturday's 5K event will benefit the Helen Matthes Library. The Get Bookin' Family 5K Run and Walk will begin at 9 a.m. and start and end at Fifth Third Bank. Proceeds from the event will go to the library's building fund and be used to renovate the bank facility for the new library. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
To wake up downtown, Saturday's morning's artist's booths will open at 10 a.m., complete with a performance from the Altamont drumline.
The fair runs until 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit www.effinghamartisanfair.com.
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