Published: September 03, 2008 08:39 am      

32nd Annual Cedarhurst Craft Fair kicks off this weekend in King City

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The 32nd Annual Cedarhurst Craft Fair will be held this weekend on the grounds of Cedarhurst on Richview Road.

According to Sarah Sledge, director of communications at Cedarhurst, the fair is expected to showcase about 130 craftsmen from throughout the United States.

The preview party will start the fair off on Friday night, with early bird shopping beginning at 5 p.m., and a buffet dinner and entertainment getting underway at 6 p.m. Tickets to the preview party are $20 for Friends of Cedarhurst, and $25 for non-members. However, Sledge said this year visitors who want to attend only the early shopping may purchase tickets for admission only, without the buffet and entertainment. Entertainment for the Preview Party will be provided by One Stone, who will perform from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, the art fair opens for the general public at 10 a.m. with admission of $3, with children 10 years of age and younger getting in free. Residents are urged to take a parking shuttle bus provided by Cedarhurst, in which visitors may park at Times Square Mall, ride a bus from Peebles and onto the craft fair grounds for $2.

In the past, the entertainment area was located behind the Cedarhurst home of John and Eleanor Mitchell, but this year, an entertainment tent will be set up in front of the home. Entertainment will get underway at noon, with “Supe DeJour” who was one of the musicians that formed the Ozark Mountain Daredevils in 1971, and has his own music label, Missouri Mule Music.

A mime will begin performing throughout the grounds at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., and Confederate Railroad will go on the main stage at 2 p.m. A beer garden tent will open at noon and close at 5 p.m.

Sunday entertainment will get underway at 1:30 p.m. with the Sounds of Swing.

Entertainment will also be a part of the children’s area, which will be located in the backyard of the Mitchell home with a theme of Fun In The Backyard. A debut appearance of the new Cedarhurst mascot — Clay Cedarmouse — will be at 11:30 a.m. with repeat appearances at 1:15 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, and Cedarmouse will also make appearances in the children’s area at 12:30, 1:45 and 2:45 p.m. on Sunday. Entertainment slated for the area include Abra “Kid” Abra Jeff Lefton’s magical show from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and Creative Characters puppet show from 1:30 to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Stories that Teach and Reach by storyteller Stephanie Rhein will be from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Powerhouse Tumblers will perform at 2 p.m. and the Mt. Vernon Township High School Drumline and Drill team will perform at 3 p.m.

In addition to the entertainment children who attend the Children’s Creative Area will be able to participate in hands-on craft creation such as marble painting, pet rocks, bubble necklaces, balloon hats, face painting, a Lego activity area, “magic” dough, a bounce house and paper butterflies. A Children’s Store will be open for children ages 10 and younger to purchase items created by fair craftspeople at a cost of $5 or less.

The craftsmen who are showing during the fair are also judged on their work, according to 2008 craft fair director Bob Feltmeier. The artisans compete for awards totaling more than $8,000. The judge this year will be Paul Sasso, a professor of art at Murray State University. The awards will be presented to the crafters during a dinner on Saturday evening.

Area non-profit organizations will be providing food and drink for the fair, with the American Red Cross selling corndogs, cotton candy and snowcones; Angels on Assignment will be selling Kettle corn, barbecue sandwiches, and slices caramel apples; the Jefferson County DARE team will be selling ribbon fries with cheese; the Jefferson County Historical Society will be selling brownie sundae’s, and orange, root beer and lemon lime floats; the Mt. Vernon Kiwanis will sell lemon and orange shakeups; the Mt. Vernon Rotary will sell funnel cakes; MVTHS will sell pork chop sandwiches; Power House Athletics will sell taco in a bag; and the YMCA will sell ribeye steak sandwiches, chicken breasts, hot dogs and chili dogs; tea and coffee.

Additional information about the craft fair, the preview party or other events at Cedarhurst is available at 242-1236