Published: April 15, 2008 12:15 pm            

Artisan Fair

The Third Annual Effingham Artisan Fair is set for Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Effingham County Courthouse lawn in downtown Effingham.

Besides featuring around 40 area vendors, the newest addition to the Artisan Fair is the wine-tasting event featuring wine from 10 local wineries. Wine-tasting will take place on the north side of Washington Avenue. The cost will be $5 for 10 tickets, which includes a complimentary wine glass.

The wineries attending the fair are Alto Vineyards from Alto Pass, Berryville Vineyards from Claremont, Collver Family Winery from Barry, Fox Creek Vineyards from Olney, Genkota Winery from Mount Vernon, Hogg Hollow Winery from Golconda, Lasata Wines from Lawrenceville, Shawnee Winery from Vienna, Vahling Vineyards from Stewardson and Willow Ridge Vineyards from Shelbyville.

Area businesses are running events to coincide with the fair. Downtown restaurants will offer outdoor dining or specials and entertainment in conjunction with the fair.

Rexroats Distinctive Dining will be open for lunch for the fair, and Martin’s IGA Plus will hold a cookout.

“The vision is to showcase the downtown area, so people will eat downtown. That’s why we don’t have food vendors and encourage people to take a walk to the local restaurants,” Artisan Fair Co-Chair Leanne Bales said.

Joe Sippers Cafe, located at 114 S. Fourth St., will feature a live outdoor concert with a number of artists performing until 11 p.m. In case of rain, the concert will be held at the cafe.

The performances include:

• 10:30 a.m. — Altamont Drumline

• 11 a.m. — Acoustically Reclined

• 12 p.m. — Chris Vallillo

• 1 p.m. — Salt Creek Band

• 3 p.m. — The Good Tangerines

• 4 p.m. — Jedidiah Adam

• 5 p.m. — Two Cent Offering

• 6 p.m. — Christ’s Church Band

• 8 p.m. — The Silent Film

• 9 p.m. — Karl F. Kling

• 10 p.m. — Photoside Cafe

The fair is sponsored by Vision 20/20 Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee and Helen Matthes Library. In case of inclement weather, the fair will be held at the Village Square Mall, Effingham.

For more information, contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-772-0750.

Angie Faller can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or angie.faller@

effinghamdailynews.com.