Cedarhurst Center for the Arts has announced that 2025 will mark the final year of its beloved Art and Craft Fair, bringing to a close a nearly 50-year tradition that began in 1977. The fair, one of the first of its kind in the country, has long been a pillar of the Mitchell Museum’s programming and a highlight of the region’s cultural calendar.
“We were one of the first craft fairs in the country, and it has been a core piece of the museum’s development and identity,” said Hillary Esser, Executive Director of Cedarhurst. “It will be bittersweet to say goodbye to the fair, but our leadership team feels this is the right time.”
Esser explained that as culture continues to evolve, Cedarhurst will shift its focus and reallocate resources to new initiatives that continue to support artists and build community engagement with the museum.
For nearly five decades, the Cedarhurst Art and Craft Fair has attracted artists from across the nation, spotlighted Mount Vernon’s small-town charm, and served as a vibrant, arts-driven tourist attraction for southern Illinois.
To honor the fair’s legacy, staff and volunteers are planning a grand farewell celebration.
“We are excited to make this a celebration and hope that the community will turn out to support the final fair,” said Cheryl Settle, a longtime volunteer and co-chair of the Art and Craft Fair committee. “So many of us have fond memories of the fair, and we want to give people a chance to visit one more time, share those memories, and just enjoy the beautiful experience that is the Cedarhurst Art and Craft Fair. There will be many special touches throughout the weekend.”
The final Cedarhurst Art and Craft Fair will be held September 5–7th. For updates and event details, visit cedarhurst.org or follow the museum on social media.
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