"Arts and Hearts" to Kickoff Artisan Fair Today

The 11th annual Artisan Fair kicks off this evening in downtown Effingham.

Tonight's "Arts and Hearts" evening is designed to promote not-for-profit agencies benefiting Effingham area citizens, but will also feature the CSS Art Auction at 6:30pm, TREC biking activities, and a variety of food items.

Events tonight are basically scheduled from 5 to 8pm, but there are some exceptions.

Here's the schedule:

--CSS Art Auction at 6:30pm

--TREC kids bike decorating contest at 5pm, a bike race at 5:30pm, and Big Wheel races at 5:45pm

--beer and wine sampling from 5 to 10pm

--performance by Jansen's Dance Center at 5pm

--a food fair featuring Martin's IGA, Wildfire Mobile Wood-Fired Pizza, Dad's Smokin Butt BBQ, and the Sausage Haus, as well as Oma Gisi's German Bakery, The Cookie Jar and Tropical Sno

More information is available at 217-342-5310, at www.effinghamartisanfair.com on on Facebook at "Effingham Artisan Fair"

The actual Artisan Fair will take place Saturday from 10am to 4pm, many of the artisans will have a "soft opening" tonight.

The Effingham County Courthouse Museum will be open tonight, and the National Road Association of Illinois will dedicate their kiosk located on the southeast corner of the Courthouse Museum parking lot at 5:30pm.