Cedarhurst Arts & Crafts Fair opens Friday

One of the biggest arts & crafts fairs in southern Illinois is back for the 45th year, starting Friday in Mt. Vernon.

The Cedarhurst Arts & Crafts Fair will have more than 80 vendors from around the Midwest, including 20 new artists, at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, 2600 Richview Road in Mt. Vernon. Mediums are glass, jewelry, pewter, metal, fiber, wood, photography, 2-D art, ceramics and upcycled art creations.

Hours are from 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12. General admission is $5; 10 and under are free.

After a heavily modified fair in 2020, the committee has promised a return to some of the traditional fair components, such as the KidZone area for children 10 and younger, and local nonprofits will be back this year at food court.

The craft fair relies on two of Cedarhurst's greats assets - the beautiful, expansive campus and the energetic volunteer base - to organize a fun-filled 3 day event and welcome artists and visitors from across the Midwest. Here's what to expect:

Pay-to-park lots are on and near the Cedarhurst campus.

Food concessions by Angel's on Assignment, Jefferson County Fraternal Order of Police, Jefferson County Historical Society, Smokin' T's BBQ, and the YMCA of Jefferson County.

Beer Garden features craft brews from St. Nicholas Brewing Co. in Du Quoin.

Beer, wine and soda offered at the Beverage Tents.

Music over the three days will feature Del Herbert and The Clyde, Mark Dvorak, Kat Caldwell, Michael "Supe" Grande, Jeremy T. McConaughey, Heather Hammers, Nathaneal James, Scott Qualk, Allyson Heitmeyer & Friends, and Josh Nelson.

A 9/11 20th Anniversary Memorial commemoration will be held at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. Brief remarks will be made followed by a flag-folding ceremony and 21-gun salute by the Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141 Honor Guard.

Major sponsors of the 2021 Art & Craft Fair are Continental Tire, Peoples National Bank, Pepsi MidAmerica, and SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital.

Info: (618) 242-1236 or cedarhurst.org.