Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is inviting the Southern Illinois community to be part of the Grand Finale of the Cedarhurst Art and Craft Fair. Museum staff announced that 2025 will mark the final year for the longtime event, which began in 1977 as one of the Mitchell Museum’s first major programs.
Executive Director Hillary Esser said, “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. It will be bittersweet to say goodbye to the fair, but our leadership team feels this is the right time.”
For nearly 50 years, the Art and Craft Fair has supported artists across the nation, raised awareness of Mt. Vernon’s small-town museum, and created a noteworthy tourist attraction for southern Illinois.
Staff and volunteers are planning a grand sendoff to honor the fair’s legacy. “We are excited to make this a celebration and hope the community will turn out to support the final fair,” said Cheryl Settle, Administrative Counselor 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.”
The final Cedarhurst Art and Craft Fair will take place September 5th through the 7th. More information can be found at cedarhurst.org or on the museum’s social media platforms.
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