Plans Being Put in Place for 2016 Artisan Fair "Arts and Hearts" Activities

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Published on March 24 2016 10:54 am
Last Updated on March 24 2016 10:54 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Plans are being put in place for the 2016 Effingham Artisan Fair's "Arts and Hearts" event.

"Arts and Hearts" will take place the evening of Friday, May 13 in downtown Effingham.

TREC (Trails Recreation Effingham County) invites area residents to join in the fun at TREC's 8th Annual Big Wheels Race. The event will kick off at 5pm in downtown Effingham with plenty of new activities for the whole family.

The event will start with a Kids Bike Decorating Contest on 4th Street. All children are invited downtown to enjoy the event. Take your bike already decorated, or head downtown ready to decorate it from 5-5:30pm. TREC will have supplies available, but feel free to take along your own. After the decorating contest, there will be a Kids Bike Race. All children must supply their own bike and wear a helmet. The Kids Race will be from 5:30-5:45pm for children 12 and younger.

The Adult Big Wheel Race will kick off at 5:45pm. It's a four-person relay race downtown on 4th Street. Teams can consist of co-workers or a group of friends. All competitors must be at least 18 years old on Race Day. All participants are required to wear helmets. They must provide their own helmets. Contact Bike and Hike for discounted helmets to all participants.

If your business or group is interested in participating in the event, pick up an event form at the Effingham Visitors Center at 1505 Hampton Drive, or email robbysams@gmail.com or thoelej@ci.effingham.il.us to have the form emailed to you. You can mail the form, along with your $50 entry fee to: TREC, PO Box 353, Effingham, IL 62401. Deadline to enter is May 2.

A bike raffle is also planned, sponsored by Bike and Hike and Stang Arts. For $5, you can enter to win a new TREK bicycle custom-painted by Jamie Stang Ellis of Stang Arts. You can fill out a registration form at either Bike and Hike or Stang Arts. The winner will be drawn downtown on Friday, May 13 after the races.

The winning team will receive a traveling trophy and bragging rights for all of 2016. Siemer Milling Company is the defending champion.

For more information about the activities, phone 217-342-5305 or visit www.VisitEffinghamIL.com 

Community groups are invited to participate in the "Arts and Hearts" event. The Vision 2020 Retail Tourism is hosting an event that will give local not-for-profit and community groups an opportunity to inform community members about their organization and to raise funds for their cause. Space for the event is free to all not-for-profit organizations.

The not-for-profit portion of the event will be from 5 to 8pm. The area will be open for groups to set up beginning at 2pm on that Friday.

Other activities that evening will include wine and beer tasting, a live art auction, an artist soft opening for the Artisan Fair, and a local food fair.

For more information on any of the activities, contact City Tourism Director Jodi Thoele at 217-342-5305 or by email at the above address. The deadline to enter is April 20.