2008 Christmas Market features new tent exhibitors and past favorites
CARLINVILLE, ILL. -- More than 70 exhibitors will take to the big white tents on East and West Main Streets during the 19th annual Carlinville Christmas Market.
Twelve of this year’s exhibitors are new to the Christmas Market. They include nationally renowned wildlife artist John Eberhardt of Monrose, Iowa. Eberhardt has been named “Artist of the Year” four times by Iowa’s chapter of Ducks Unlimited, three times by the Illinois chapter, and again by the Iowa Heritage Foundation. In addition to earning blue-ribbon, best-of- show, and other national awards, he has created 27 catalog covers for Cabela’s outfitting company since 1983. He is an avid outdoorsman and has donated many of his works and some of his profits to conservation organizations.
Other new exhibitors include Crafty Critters of Wisconsin and such Illinois crafters as Grand Paws Bakery, Backyard Beef, Jazzi Designs, The Bead Lady, Mother and Daughter Crafts, Petal People, Spinny Spools and Pamordans, Barbara Rives Baskets, Comforts by Ruth Ann, and Lunatique Art Studio.
“As with our entertainment, we try to keep the offerings in our arts and crafts tents fresh and new but still bring back the exhibitors that our visitors tell us they especially like,” said Christmas Market Exhibitor Chair Debbie Zilm.
“We’ll have a full array of arts and crafts again this year, ranging from specialty foods, wine, wood carvings, candles, ceramics, oil paintings, and prints to gourd art, soaps, woven baskets, glassware, metal art, bird houses, and jewelry,” Zilm stated. “And, naturally, there will be lots and lots of items with a Christmas theme.”
Christmas Market spokesman Rich Minster points out that “The goal of our Christmas Market is to put a spotlight on Carlinville. We want to show visitors from nearby towns, from upstate Illinois, and from out of state what a Christmas festival is like in a romantic, historic setting on a town square. We import entertainment and exhibitors at this time of year simply to broaden the Carlinville experience and add choices to the full-time shopping experience offered all year long by our own merchants.”
Visitors to the Christmas Market will receive a brochure with a list of exhibitors and town-square merchants, a location map, and a schedule of attractions during the three-day celebration.
For more information about the Market, visit www.CarlinvilleChristmasMarket.com
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