Two More Events this Fall

 We've added a couple of additional events to our calendar.

 

Holiday Vendors in the Vines will be at Alto Vineyards on Saturday, November 25 from 12:00-5:00.  It's always great to join the good people at Alto Vineyards, the oldest winery on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.  We're looking forward to another wonderful event with them.  This will be a chance for you to avoid the big box stores, have a glass of wine, and peruse the artisans who will be there that day.

The other added event is the Christkindl Market at Big Muddy Brewing on Saturday, December 9 at 12:00.  In addition to the artists, there will be several other breweries represented there, so it's an opportunity to sample beers from all over at just one place, all while taking a look at the wonderful artists that Southern Illinois has to offer.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.  We look forward to seeing you.

AutumnFest News

We received our application for AutumnFest at John A. Logan College today, and I'm happy to say that it will be back on the Logan campus this year.  After two years at the old Marion Mall it will be returning to its original location. We are delighted to hear this, and we hope that you are, too.  This will be Saturday and Sunday, November 11-12.  We hope to see you there!

Show Schedule - 2023

 We are already looking forward to the upcoming craft fair season.  Below are the shows we expect to be at, based on shows we have done in the past.  This is not a comprehensive list, as we almost always add shows, sometimes at the last minute.  Check our Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Also, some of the dates have not yet been verified, so they may differ from what I have below.  Of course, you are always free to drop us a line to confirm whether we will be at a given show.  We lookk forward to seeing you.

 

Murphysboro Apple Festival

Murphysboro, IL

Sept. 15-16

This long running festival kicks off our fall season.  Rides, parades, food, and yes, apples.  We look forward to meeting lots of old friends, and making new friends, at this show every year.

DuBois Center Fall Festival

DuBois Center, Dubois, IL

Oct. 1

You'd be hard pressed to find a nicer location for an outdoor craft fair.  Held on the grounds of the DuBois Center, this show offers free parking and free admission.

Wine and Art Festival at Rend Lake

Artisan’s Center, Whittington, IL

Sept. 30-Oct.1

This show moved to a new location last year out of necessity, but we think this was a happy accident.  We're hoping they keep this new spot from now on, as it is set on a hillside overlooking Rend Lake.

VultureFest

Makanda, IL

Oct.  21-22

If you only get out once this year, it should be to VultureFest in Makanda.  It gets bigger and better every year.  We promise you will never find another show like this one.

AutumnFest

John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL

Nov.  11-12

 Another long-running show, and always one of the best in the area.   Due to construction on the Logan Campus, it has been held at the Marion Oasis Event Center.  Rumor has it that the work at Logan is still ongoing, but we will update the information as it comes in.

 

Arts and Crafts Extravaganza

Show-Me Center, Cape Girardeau, MO

Nov.  18-19

We are fortunate to be close enough to Cape Girardeau to get there fairly easily, and this is our favorite show in that city.  We'll be at the Show-Me Center again.

Holiday Craft Sale

SIU Student Center, Carbondale, IL

Nov. 30 - Dec. 2

If you are looking to give locally crafted, handmade gifts to your loved ones this year, you have to go to this show.  Three days, Thursday through Saturday, with some of the best artisans in Southern Illinois.

Arts & Crafts Extravaganza

We're leaving the state. Well, for the weekend, anyway. We will be at the 52nd Annual Arts & Crafts Extravaganza, put on by the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. This event occurs in two different venues at the same time, the Show-Me Center, and the Osage Center. We will be at the Show-Me Center, and look forward to seeing lots of folks.

JALC Autumnfest

 

 

We've got one of the best shows in the area coming up this weekend. John A. Logan's Autumnfest has been going on for a long time, and we are very happy to be a part of it. For the second year in a row, the show will be held at the Marion Oasis Event Center (that's the old Marion Mall to you and me). We love this show for the high level of art and craft you can find there, as well as the chance to see many of our favorite people. So come on out this Saturday and Sunday, 9-4.

Wine & Art Festival at Rend Lake - 2022

 We've been doing this show since 2004, when the remains of hurricane Rita came through and dumped lots of rain on everybody.  This year, the weather looks to be a lot better, clear and dry, perfect for listening to your favorite bands, trying out some new wines, and shopping at some great artists.  

We will be easy to find at this show, as we are right next to the winery nearest the parking area, adjacent to the food trucks.  We have all kinds of new products for you to see, with new soap scents and lots of live-edge cutting boards.  

We also are showing off our new logo, so come on out and see what we have.  We'll be looking for you!

Show Schedule, 2022 (we hope)

It's been a while since I could post a list like this, and the last time, in 2020, wound up being a rather sad wish. A lot of things have changed since then, and we expect to be back in the full swing of things this year. The following is a list of shows we expect to do this year, based on shows we have done in the past. We'll keep you updated as our information changes.

DuQuoin State Fair

DuQuoin, IL

Sept. 3-4 (?)

We had a great first year at the fair, and are looking forward to being able to return.

Murphysboro Apple Festival

Murphysboro, IL

Sept. 16-17

A truly Southern Illinois event, a celebration of one of our best local products.

DuBoisCenter Fall Festival

DuBois Center, Dubois, IL

Oct. 2

This show is heavy on country crafts, set in an idyllic location. Free entrance, free parking, food, and wagon rides.

Wine and Art Festival at Rend Lake

Artisan’s Center, Whittington, IL

Oct. 8-9

The grand-daddy of wine and art shows in the area.  We've been doing this show for some eighteen years, and it keeps getting better and better.

VultureFest

Makanda, IL

Oct.  15-16

Vultures. Makanda.  Us.  This is always a fun time, and last year was the biggest any of us have seen.  You won’t want to miss this show.

AutumnFest

John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL

Nov.  12-13

This show was at the old Marion Mall last year due to construction at the Logan campus. I assume it's going to be on campus this year, but stay tuned for further information.

Arts and Crafts Extravaganza

Show-Me Center, Cape Girardeau, MO

Nov.  19-20

 Our only out-of-state show last year, a chance to meet a whole new group of people.

Holiday Craft Sale

SIU Student Center, Carbondale, IL

Dec. 1-3

The grand finale, a three-day blowout in the student center at SIU.  We’re always amazed at how this show gets bigger and better every year.

This is not an exhaustive list. We did several other shows last year, and probably will again this year, but these were late additions to our schedule and are not yet annual events. So keep an eye here and at our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ruthandjohns, for fresh information as it comes along.