Shrewd shoppers flock to Christmas on the Fox
Face facts. It's time to quit procrastinating and tackle the season's business - your holiday gift list.
By next weekend, you will have given thanks, eaten turkey, awakened from a carb-induced coma and watched televised football. Reserve Friday for a much-needed break with plenty of time to prepare for a weekend adventure - Christmas on the Fox.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26-27, Kane County Fairgrounds' Prairie Events Center in St. Charles becomes a charming seasonal respite from mall merchandising and intensive internet marketing. The setting overflows with the sights, sounds, fragrances and pure joy of the festive season. Admission is $3. Parking is ample and free. Hill's Country Store in Kaneville provides a catered lunch - a tasty diversion from those ubiquitous holiday leftovers.
Where else can you connect with exclusive one-of-a-kinds, such as rock oil candles made with stones and fossils, chain mail jewelry, hand-built pottery and penny rug-style garlands?
The juried market is produced by Art of the Heartland and features more than 90 attractive booths amply stocked with items never available elsewhere. All merchandise is made in America and presented personally by its talented artisan creators. To qualify for the show, Art of the Heartland's CEO Robin Reed requires artisans to submit photos of finished items captured in a "messy'' workplace with supplies in the background.
"The purpose is to prove that the artisan creates the items rather than buying them wholesale for resale,'' says Reed. She believes successful art and craft shows must be responsible for offering a wide variety of top quality merchandise and be fun to attend.
"I want visitors to walk out of our show with smiles on their faces, planning their trip back next year,'' says Reed, whose family-owned company produces several popular Fox Valley area shows, including West Dundee's Heritage Fest Arts and Crafts and Antique shows, My Favorite Things Market (formerly The Country Folk Art Festival), Autumn on the Fox and Christmas on the Fox.
Under Reed's watchful eye, the Christmas venue sparkles. Fragrant lighted Frazier fir trees, handsome garlands, wreaths and other fresh seasonal greenery from Heinz Brothers Greenhouse and Garden Centers help set the mood.
The highly anticipated annual show can be counted on to offer something for every shopper. At every price point.
Need to freshen your own home decor before you begin decking your halls and walls? Cathy Laughery's "vintage upscale'' holiday houses, boxes, clocks and more are an inspired touch. How about a piece from artist Joanna Bolton's whimsical 2016 collection of papier-mâché figurines? But keep an eye out for Jennifer Todd's penny rug-style ornaments, garlands, candle mats and runners. Maybe a festive holiday floral from Debby Crist?
A sophisticated hostess on your gift list may flip for Brooke Davis's hand chiseled granite cheeseboards. Or Ingrid Mitchell's stunningly repurposed bottles (half the proceeds help support Gages Lake-based Laremont School for Special Needs Students).
Treat your favorite fashionista to a chic hand-crocheted chapeau (and maybe a matching scarf) by Darla Boyce-Frey and her mom, Shawna. Bridget Nodurft's vintage fabric-clad handbags and totes make strong style statements, as well.
Cindy Payne of The Farmhouse in Plainfield offers a plethora of cleverly repurposed items - holiday stockings for your mantel, cleverly updated accessories and furniture that make eyes pop.
A favorite boy child will love any of Ross Joy's handcrafted wooden toys. Little girls covet Connie Johnson's fleece wraps and doll apparel.
Stock the family's holiday sweet table with toffee, turtles, pretzels and more from Carol Ann's Candies and gourmet cookies from Cookiegarden.com's booth. Add a few of Kim Kirk's dip and cheesecake mixes. And on the savory side, it might not hurt to stock up on a couple of varieties of Mary and Chris Ginder's Gindos hot sauces.
Don't miss Peterine Svoboda's painted seasonal decor, Kathy Roller's "woolies'' and folk art, Mary Harman-May's baskets and painted pretties, Santa pillows and other holiday decor. And there's much, much more. Come and see for yourself. It's a fun time that will win you praise when the gifts are opened.
Christmas On The Fox art and craft show
<span class="fact box text bold">Where:</span> Prairie Events Center, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles
<span class="fact box text bold">When:</span> Nov. 26 and 27
<span class="fact box text bold">Hours:</span> 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days
<span class="fact box text bold">Admission:</span> $3
<span class="fact box text bold">Information:</span> (630) 397-1151, rareed57@yahoo.com or artoftheartland.com.