 In April, the town of Elkhart is home to special weekends of
shopping, nature activities and entertainment for residents and
tourists alike. Over the weekend, six buildings were used for the
Elkhart Vintage Market.Bob and Bev Albert were running the
Welcome Center for the shopping event. Bev said that Saturday in
particular was a very busy day for the market. Sunday, while not as
busy there, was still a successful day for the event.
On Sunday afternoon, the St. John the Baptist Chapel was opened
up for tours. Visitors could guide themselves through the church, or
they could enjoy an informative presentation on the church by Holly
Labisky. According to Bev Albert, Labisky is very knowledgeable when
it comes to historic cemeteries and churches, having visited
hundreds of them for research.
"It was nice to see the main street so busy," said Bev.
One of the vendors, Linda Renehan of Morning Glory Collectibles,
explained that the Elkhart Vintage Market is part of the Prairie
Traveling Vintage Show. Renehan said that the market is run by
several vendors from the central Illinois area, and it even has a
Facebook page for those want more information.
Renehan added that this year is the second year for the Elkhart
Vintage Market as part of the traveling show.
The Vintage Market, as its name implies, was filled with vintage
items. The concept of vintage means different things for different
shoppers. An anonymous shopper said, "Younger people hear vintage
and think of the '90s. Older people think of the '60s or earlier."
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 Whichever decade one thinks of when they hear vintage, the
inventory at the Elkhart Vintage Market still fit the definition.
The market was full of clothes, knickknacks, furniture and other
assorted wares from the past. As with any vintage sale, and as said
by shoppers in Elkhart, you never know you will find at the market.
The quaint village on the hill continues to host unique shopping
treats and entertainment during the weekends in April. The Artisan
Craft Fair will be downtown for the next two weekends, with hours
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays. Local crafters
offer shoppers all types of handmade items, including children's
items, jewelry, wood and gourd crafts, bags and totes, walking
sticks and canes, hand-sewn items, purses, wine glasses, and tarts
and warmers.
Entertainment on the hill includes historical performance talks
at the chapel.
Check in at the Elkhart Welcome Center for detailed activities.
The center is open every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4
p.m. in the Village Hall on Gov. Oglesby Street in historic downtown
Elkhart.
Or check the tourism calendar to see all that is going on in
Elkhart and other places in Logan County:
http://www.abe66.com/calendar.pdf.
[By DEREK HURLEY; LDN]
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