 Artisan Fair Prepares for Third Year
The 2007 Artisan Fair will be held this year on Saturday, April 19, on the Effingham County Courthouse lawn in Downtown Effingham. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the fair will be held at Village Square Mall in Effingham.
Featured booths will have artist-created pieces on display for purchase, with several artists demonstrating their crafts during the day. Also, live entertainment will be performing as in the past and a wine tasting will be added this year.
To coincide with the fair, several restaurants located in the downtown area will offer outdoor dining or are running specials and entertainment in conjunction with the fair. Joe Sippers Cafe also is having a live outdoor concert featuring a number of artists that will run from 5 to 11 p.m. In case of rain, the concert will be held indoors at the cafe.
The fair is sponsored by Vision 20/20 Culture, Arts & Leisure Committee. For more information, contact 800-772-0750.
 Effingham Heats Up With the Annual VW Funfest
Want to hug a bug...maybe an amazing vintage VW bus?! Gather the family and head for MidAmercia Motorworks. Hundreds of VW’s from cute little Beetles, Cabriolets and sleek, powerful driving machines will be there. Family activities, great food, technical sessions and accessories.
 The Corvette Museum is trans-formed into a VW showcase, with vintage and one-of-a-kind models and memorabilia on display. This year’s festival is scheduled from May 31 to June 6 at MidAmerican Motorworks, north of Effingham on U.S. 45. The event expects to draw in over 1,000 VWs and 8,000 enthusiasts.
For more information, call 800-500-1500
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 Cowboy Up, It’s Rodeo Time as the IHSRA Come to Town!
Illinois high school rodeo athletes compete for the glory, fun and the opportunity to advance to Nationals. Rodeo sports are action packed and dangerous. See bull and bronco riding, barrel racing and calf roping. Little buckaroos can compete in mutton bustin’ and the littlest cowpokes can saddle up for the stick horse events. Ooh-eeh, ride’em cowboy!
The IHSRA Celebration will kick-off June 18 in downtown Effingham with a cookout, parade, downtown shootout, and live music. The rodeo finals will be held from June 19 to 21 at the Effingham County Fair Grounds in Altamont, with the finalist heading to Nationals.
For more information, call 618-483-6176.
 Hear That Baby Roar! The Corvette Funfest is in Town
This event is so anticipated that attendees make their hotel reservations for the next year when they check in. With the 30th anniversary under their belts, MidAmerica Motorworks doesn’t see any place to go but up - and that’s great news for you.
 Past counts were more than 10,000 Corvettes on the grounds for the weekend festivities. Whether you own one of these gorgeous machines or just wish you did, the Corvette Funfest is a terrific way to spend a September weekend. Great food, technical sessions, and who knows, you might find the ‘Vette of your dreams for sale.
This year’s Funfest will be held September 19 to 21 at MidAmerica Motorworks, north of Effingham on U.S. 45. To register in advance or for more information, call 800-500-1500.
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 ...and you’ll have FUN FUN FUN at the All Ford Car Show
.... ‘til daddy takes your T-bird away! No T-Bird or Mustang, Galaxie or Continental in your garage? A handsome Ford truck? No? Need a Ford fix? This is the place to find one! Vintage Pony cars, the latest muscle bound Mustang GT, romantic T-birds, and more will all be here. Cruise-In on Saturday.
The event will kick-off September 6 with “The Night Before Cruise In,” with the annual Ford Show and Ford Family Celebration to be held the following day.
For more information, call 217-342-2247 or e-mail.
 Wonderland in Lights
It's for the kid in all of us - and children too! Community Park seems tailor made for a holiday light event like Wonderland in Lights. The winding road reveals a surprise at every turn. Follow the colorfully lighted road into every child’s Christmas fantasy.
Reindeer really can fly...and oh no! Santa is stuck in the fireplace chimney! The elves are busy decorating their home, and around the next turn, a forest of giant candy canes and gingerbread. Giant toys parade through the “hollow,” showing off their circus skills. The animated train chugs up the hillside, carrying toys for all the girls and boys. The Nativity is nestled against a hillside, with the star shining bright to guide the way. An American flag, complete with “fireworks,” caps off the display.
 Anticipation builds with the promise of new displays every year. Wonderland in Lights runs from December 5 through Christmas Day. Sun. - Thurs., 5 pm - 9 pm. Fri. & Sat., 5 pm - 10 pm.
Candycanes for all the kids! On Saturdays, Santa is there to hand out special treats to the young visitors
 Twinkling Lights Tour
Make a weekend of it and visit four light events! Victorian Splendor to the Lightworks - all within easy driving distance of Effingham.
Holiday events, carriage rides, Christmas festivals, and craft fairs await in Effingham and the other Twinkling Lights communities. Find that perfect gift at one of Effingham’s unique downtown shops or antique stores.
The Twinkling Lights Tour brochure is available at local hotels, the CVB office, the light events, or by mail after November 15.
 More Holiday Fun
The lights are just the beginning. Holiday theatre and choral performances, live nativities and old-fashioned Christmas events are all part of the fabric of the holidays in Effingham.
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