Craft fair makes debut at farm's Harvest Day

This year's Fall Harvest Day at Blackberry Farm will feature a crafts fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14.

It is the first time that a crafts show will be part of the festival, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. Blackberry Farm, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is at 100 S. Barnes Road in Aurora.

The crafts fair will offer a variety of items, including clothing, wood creations, natural and painted gourds, handmade jewelry and doll clothing.

"I thought the crafts fair would be a good addition to this family-oriented event," said promoter Kadie O'Connor of Aurora. "We have a real basket maker, a photographer and original pottery, blended with more typical handmade crafts. It's a good blend of all different styles."

Homemade candles and soaps are another offering, as well as quilts and fabric accessories for the home. One crafter makes tepees for children, dolls and pets, as well as custom laundry bags for children's rooms. Another crafter will offer face-painting along with her handmade items.

According to O'Connor, there will also be specialized tack-trunks, keepsake boxes, and birdhouses, some made from gourds and some finished with stone.

At other festival events, visitors can learn how the pioneers prepared for harsh winters. For a small fee, guests can taste some early American foods like apple cider, corn bread and hot corn on the cob.

There will be old-fashioned games that pioneer children enjoyed, as well as corn shelling and grinding and butter and cheese making. Cliff Frantz will have an early traveler display at the Pioneer cabin, and local silversmith Don Cronauer will show how he crafts silver into jewelry.

For information on the craft fair, call (630) 896-1947. For details on Blackberry Farm, call (630) 892-1550.

Town and Country Library: Residents are invited to join the staff of the Town and Country Library at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, for a special ceremony at the flagpole to commemorate the anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Colors will be posted by the Daniel Simpson American Legion Post 630. The library is at 320 E. North St. in Elburn.

Storytime for toddlers and preschoolers begins Thursday, Sept. 11. A schedule of computer classes for the rest of the year is available. The next eight-week class will concentrate on office skills.

For details, call the library at (630) 365-2244.