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 With that, planners started drawing their focus on the next
festival -- Art in the Park, which will be held in July.
The Arts in the Park Festival will bring back the traditional fine
art show and sale in Latham Park, and the Library Book Sale of the
original festival, and it will be coupled with a new version of the
old Taste of Wine event. Also, the Open Arms Christian Fellowship
Family Fun Day will be taking place in Scully Park.
When looking back on last year's Art in the Park during the Balloon
Festival, Andi Hake said each year it has become more difficult to
get artist participation. This year, she echoed that sentiment
saying that part of the problem is that artists are growing older,
and they are not as interested in the work and time involved in
attending open air shows. In addition, younger artists are
discovering the value of online sales with websites that are
designated for selling original artwork.
Even so, Logan County Alliance event coordinator Cara Barr said that
they do have several who have committed to attending the festival.
At its peak, the Art Fair that began in the 1970's offered 70 or
more artists. This year, shoppers should expect about half that
number, but those who do come will still be offering top quality
works of art at reasonable prices, so there should still be plenty
of shopping opportunities.
 The planners for this event are excited about how they have updated
the Taste of Wine event. Barr said that the event would include a
number of wineries who will offer up some of their best products.
There will also be an interactive component for would-be artists
visiting the festival. Picasso on the Prairie will conduct four
painting classes, two on Saturday and two on Sunday.
The program is being offered by Ashley Trueblood, an art teacher at
Athens. Barr said that prior to the weekend, Trueblood is going to
create four original works of art that reflect Logan County. At each
class, one piece of art will be the focal point for the students.
Trueblood will offer help and instruction on technique and will
guide guests through re-creating the piece in their own style. Barr
said that it was important to note this was not a paint-by-number
type class. Each would-be artist will be able to create their own
version of Trueblood’s piece.
The classes will be held in the wine tasting area on Pekin Street
between Latham Park and the Lincoln Public Library. If desired,
guests attending the classes will also be able to enjoy a glass of
wine while they paint.
Another new offering this year will be gourmet food trucks. Vendors
who will be on hand include Cooper’s StrEAT Bistro of Springfield, C
& E Concessions of Hillsboro, and Country Catering & Concessions of
Elkhart. Barr said the food offerings will include items such as
Philly Steak sandwiches, inside out apples, Root Beer floats, and
other trendy foods and desserts.
The food trucks will be set up at the end of Pekin Street nearest
the Library.
Barr said the Art in the Park and the Taste of Wine would be adult
oriented events. While kids will be permitted to attend the Art in
the Park, they will not be admitted to the wine tasting area.
But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something for the younger
generation on that weekend. The annual Family Fun Day hosted by the
Open Arms Christian Fellowship Church will fill Scully Park on
Saturday.
 Family Fun Day is a free event open to everyone and will feature a
day filled with fun and games for youngsters including bounce
houses. There will be skill games that award small prizes, free hot
dog lunches served all day, as well as snow-cones and cotton candy.
Local entertainers will perform throughout the day and at 5:15 p.m.
the featured entertainment will be recording artist Ricky Hilton.
Hake spoke about the combination of the two events. She said that as
the Logan County Alliance looked at the expansion of the Art and
Balloon Festival into four events, the July 18th and 19th date would
coincide with the Family Fun Day. Before setting the date, Alliance
members went to Pastor Larry Crawford and spoke with him about the
plan. She said Crawford took the issue to his board who did not
object.
Hake said she wanted to stress that had the church been opposed to
this, the Alliance would have selected another date.
In the end, she sees the two offerings as a well-rounded weekend for
visitors and for the community.
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The ever popular Library Book Sale will be returning during this festival. The
staff at the Lincoln Public Library annually provide a gigantic selection of
books as well as other media products. The event is a buy-a-bag style sale where
shoppers can purchase a bag from library volunteers and fill it to bursting with
whatever they choose from the selection. Books include how-to editions, history,
fiction and much more.
The footprint of the Art in the Park Festival will be much smaller with only one
street closure in the downtown area. Pekin Street will be closed between North
Kickapoo and McLean Street. All other downtown streets will be open providing
easy access to shopping around the square and parking for festival goers.
Looking ahead, after the Art in the Park Festival will be the Lincoln Balloon
Festival in late August. The event will be held on the traditional weekend of
the former version. The different aspect this year will be that all the activity
will be at the Logan County Airport, with nothing assigned to take place in the
downtown area.
Barr said that to date there are over 30 balloons registered for the weekend,
all are returning pilots from previous festivals.
This year a group of kiters from the St. Louis area will be bringing their giant
kites for the weekend. This new group is reported to have a more structured
program than the previous kiters at the festival that will provide entertainment
with the kites, in addition to allowing them to fill the skies over the airport.
New to the festival this year is the offering of Celebrity Donkey Races. This is
a special event being held as a fundraiser for the Lincoln Community High School
Class of 2016. The races will feature local personalities who will pay or raise
$150 to ride a donkey, with the Class of 2016 reaping the profits. There is a
variety of fun ways to help with this school fundraiser. A person can choose to
pay the entry and ride the donkey, or they may be drafted by friends who pay the
entry and challenge them to ride. The rider may also choose to sign up, and then
raise funds by soliciting friends, business associates, and family to sponsor
their ride.
According to the LCA brochure, there is a weight limit for the rider, no one
over 225 pounds. The event is insured by the owners of the donkeys, plus the
Alliance has insurance coverage on all the events at the airport. Bleachers and
lawn chair space will be available for spectators, and the races will also be
visible from the beer tent.
There will be five heat races and a championship race. Each heat will have up to
10 riders with the top two advancing to the championship race. Hake said that
she has had several people express an interest in this event, and registration
is going on now for anyone who wants to participate or nominate a participant.
Registration forms are available at the Logan County Alliance office or register
online at
http://lincolnillinois.chamber
master.com/events/details/2015-balloon-fest-celebrity-donkey-races-3664
Many of the traditional offerings at the airport will be returning this year
included live music on stage throughout the weekend with a number of great local
artists, and some high-quality guest bands.
The food offerings will continue with the selection of vendors on the midway
expected to be much the same as in the past. Launches and glows will be
scheduled as in the past weather permitting, and tethered rides will be offered
again this year.
More information will be available on the Lincoln Balloon Festival, and National
Railsplitting Festival as festival dates approach.
[Nila Smith]
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