Autumnfest at John A. Logan Jr. College

This weekend is the biggest Christmas craft show in the area, Autumnfest at John A. Logan Jr. College in Carterville. This is truly the show you don't want to miss, with a huge variety of artists, and a high level of quality. You will find us in the cafeteria again this year. We like it there, as we have more room around us, and the aisles are not so packed as they are elsewhere. Ruth has been busy making soaps and lotions just for this event, and John has lots of fun wine racks for your favorite wine lover.

Saturday, Nov. 13, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Sunday, Nov. 14, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Heritage Festival at Southeastern Illinois College

We're heading to Harrisburg, Illinois, for a first-time event for us, namely the Heritage Festival at Southeastern Illinois College. Look for us in a corner of the big room. This is the first of our big Christmas shows, so we are really looking forward to it, and looking forward to seeing you there.

Saturday, Nov. 6, 9:00am-4:00pm
Sunday, Nov 7, 9:00am-4:00pm

Colorfest

It's a double-header for Ruth and John's as we go all out to celebrate Colorfest this season.

Ruth will be at the community park in Cobden this Saturday from 10am-5pm, while John will be at Blue Sky Vineyard Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 12pm-8pm. The forecast looks near-perfect, so get out and see the most beautiful part of Illinois in all its fall colors, and stop by and say hello to Ruth and/or John. Really, do you want to be inside on a day like this?

9th Street Grill, Mt. Vernon, IL

We had a good show this weekend at the Illinois Wine & Art Festival in Whittington. It's always nice to be appreciated, and as frequently happens, we had a number of people stopping by who had purchased from us in festivals past. Among our new customers, one couple deserves a special mention.

If you've seen John's wine racks, you know he doesn't take wine too seriously, but loves to find new and unusual ways of showing off a collection of bottles. The owners of the 9th Street Grill in Mt. Vernon, IL, apparently share his taste, as they picked up two of my favorite pieces at this show, and they should be on display in their restaurant. One of them is a floor-standing piece made of cherry which holds 12 bottles, a full case of wine. The other also holds 12 bottles, but in a completely different fashion, and is what I call a "whirligig" (shown below).



We haven't been to the the 9th Street Grill, yet, but are looking forward to it, as it comes highly recommended. If you get there before us (quite likely, as we have a very busy fall ahead of us), drop us a line and let us know how you like it, and keep an eye out for a couple of unusual wine racks.

Downtown Art & Wine Fair

We're staying close to home for the next few weeks. This weekend we are at the Downtown Art & Wine Fair on the square in Carbondale. This event is in the parking lot across from Tres Hombres, and runs from 3 - 9pm. We'll be just inside the Jackson Street entrance, so stop by and say hello.


Downtown Wine & Art Fair

Illinois Wine & Art Festival

This weekend is the grand-daddy of wine and art shows in the region. This will be the eleventh year for the Illinois Wine & Art Festival. Never been? Take I-57 to exit 77, Whittington, and go the Illinois Artisans Shop and Visitors Center. This show has some of the best artisans in the area, and some of the best wineries, to boot. We look forward to this every year, and now it's here!

Saturday, Sept. 25, and Sunday, Sept. 26.

http://www.wineandartfestival.com/

Murphysboro Apple Festival

We are returning to the Murphysboro Apple Festival this year. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Sept. 17-19. Come look for us in downtown Murphy.