Itasca Art and Wine fest back for a second go

After drawing more than 2,000 art lovers, dozens of artists from throughout the country and a handful of wineries during its first run, organizers are bringing back Itasca's Benches on Parade Art and Wine Festival this weekend.

Event founder and Itasca Trustee Ellen Leahey said she hopes the festival's second run is a sign that the fest will become a tradition in the village.

"I would love it if this becomes an annual event," Leahey said. "It's so unique to Itasca. Last year's was just a really great event with fabulous music, beautiful art, and many people commented to me that the venue is just spectacular."

The three-day event runs today through Sunday, Sept. 24 to 26, with art booths, music and bidding on more than a dozen benches painted by local artists. Leahy said the benches are old wooden benches from throughout the village that were replaced due to their age and high maintenance cost.

Letting the artists paint and sell them, she said, creates the opportunity to recycle and raise some proceeds for village projects, because half the sale price goes back to Itasca. The artist keeps the other half of the funds.

Friday also will feature a new charity event to benefit the Pajama Program, which helps youths in need. Anyone who wants to attend the fest's Cooking with Wine demonstration on Friday must donate one new pair of pajamas, ranging in size from infant to teenager, to be admitted to the tent.

"I thought this would be a neat way to do something good at a reasonable admission price," said Leahy, who is friends with the local Pajama Program chapter president.

More music and art will be on display Saturday and Sunday, along with demonstrations in various media for adults and art-themed activities for children.

Four area wineries will offer tastes of their varieties throughout the entire fest.

Itasca Art and Wine Festival, "Benches on Parade"The festival runs from 4 to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Usher Park, Irving Park Road and Walnut Street, Itasca. Includes wine tastings, art demonstrations, children's activities and music by the David Polk Project. Admission and parking are free. Info: (630) 773-0835 or itasca.com.TODAY4 p.m. Silent auction bid opening for painted benches6, 7 and 8 p.m. Cooking with Wine demonstrations (pajama donation required for admission)SATURDAY10 a.m. to noon Booth judging1-1:30 p.m. Jewelry art demonstration with Sheila Papaioannou at Booth 72-2:30 p.m. Water color paint demonstration with Elizabeth Slomka at Booth 593-3:30 p.m. Mixed media art demonstration with Linda Russell at Booth 284 p.m. Booth awardsSUNDAYNoon-5 p.m. Children's activities1-1:30 p.m. Fiber art demonstration with Betty Kirk at Booth 522-2:30 p.m. Photography demonstration with Kenneth Sapp at Booth 613 p.m. Silent auction bid closing3-3:30 p.m. Jewelry art demonstration with Maria Burk at Booth 55False20001331The Itasca Art and Wine Festival will feature 70 artists from around the country, tastings from four local wineries, and art-themed children's activities like chalk drawing this weekend in Usher Park.Courtesy of Blue Cloud ImagingFalse