Midsummer Arts Faire Becoming Signature Arts Event for Community
June 11, 2007… The Midsummer Arts Faire will take place the weekend of Friday, June 22nd – Sunday, June 24th in Washington Park in the Historic Quincy Business District. Now in its 4th year, the juried fine arts festival attracts artists and tourists from the tri-state area and beyond for a weekend of creativity, entertainment, food and great art.
54 fine artists, all selected in a jury process, will exhibit and sell their work during the faire. The showcase represents diverse styles and techniques and a variety of medium including: oil, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography, mixed media and more. Participating artists hail from the tri-states, including Quincy, Hannibal and Keokuk, central Illinois, the St. Louis area and as far away as Arkansas, Kansas and South Dakota.
“We have fourteen more artists than last year which tells us the word is getting out about our arts faire,” said Maggie Strong, Midsummer Arts Faire Coordinator. “Artists are discovering that the Quincy community appreciates and supports this type of high-quality arts event and more artists are applying every year.”
The faire kicks off Friday evening at 5:00 pm with the popular “Blues in the District” concert series. Blues favorite Curtis Salgado will perform and artist booths will be open until 9:00 pm. The Faire is open Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Great entertainment, wonderful food and a variety of children’s activities complement the fine art show. Children’s Hands-on Art Activities presented by the Art Academy will give kids a chance to unleash their creativity. The Children’s Only Gallery is back by popular demand. Located in the bandstand, the gallery features the donated work of participating and local artists. Only young people ages 4 to 14 may enter and select a piece of art to buy for under $10. Choosing their favorite piece helps young people develop their own unique taste for fine art.
This year’s entertainment includes something for everyone. Saturday kicks off with the Rag Time Irish Players from 10:00 am to noon, followed by hometown favorite Ned Berhensmeyer on piano from noon to 1:00 pm. The Midsummer Arts Faire is honored to host the Brigham Young Ballroom Dance Company for the 3rd year in a row. The group will perform at the show mobile stage at 5th and Hampshire from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm followed by ballroom dance lessons. Back at the entertainment stage, the Jason Dugger Duo will finish off the afternoon beginning at 2:30 pm with the cool sounds of jazz piano and trumpet.
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Sunday’s entertainment features The Music Company for a jazz brunch from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm the Quincy Community Theater will present the Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. This three-person show is not to be missed and the perfect way to end the faire Sunday afternoon.
The entertainment stage is located next to the Food Court where local favorites will be serving up summer favorites all Saturday and Sunday. This year’s food court features The Busy Bistro, Hy-Vee on Harrison, Java, Java, Java, Madonna House and Pop’s Pizza. Fresh grilled sandwiches, salads, gourmet wraps, savory sides, refreshing lemon shake-ups and pizza by the slice are just some of the items on the menu.
Midsummer Merchandise will be available at the Merchandise Tent located near the bandstand. T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, bottled water, and the 2007 commemorative print will be available to purchase. Quantities are limited and sold out quickly in 2006.
A fine arts festival is the result of generous community support. The Midsummer Arts Faire thanks the business, organizations and individual sponsors for their financial and in-kind support. For more information about the 4th Annual Midsummer Arts Fare, visit www.artsfaire.org or call 217.779.3729.
The Midsummer Arts Faire is funded in part by the Marion Gardner Jackson Trust Arts Fund which is sponsored by the Marion Gardner Jackson Trust and the business and individual members of the Quincy Society of Fine Arts.
The Faire is also partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
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