Fairfield's All Things Local Art Walk

Homegrown, Homemade, and Handcrafted Goods at the 1st Fridays Art Walk Sept. 5, 2008

fairfield art walk, All Things Local, 1st fridays art walk

Radiance Dairy owner Francis Tichy gives hayrides around the square.

Celebrate the family farm at the 1st Fridays Art Walk: All Things Local, September 5, on the Fairfield, Iowa, square. Enjoy local food, live music, art, and family fun, and experience firsthand why more and more people are embracing the popular Buy Fresh, Buy Local scene.

The celebration will feature fresh, local produce as well as baked goods and dishes made with local ingredients. Dine on freshly baked bread, enjoy rigatoni and lasagna, and swoon for apple pie made with local ingredients. Other locally made products include hand-forged ironwork, handmade soaps, homemade lotions, locally made dog biscuits, handcrafted jewelry, hand-carved horn goods, and delicious produce and baked goods.

“We have over 25 vendors participating and bringing diverse and unique products to enjoy,” says Mary Carter, organizer of the Hometown Harvest of SE Iowa Chapter. “Pick up a Buy Fresh Buy Local tote bag and fill it with a variety of gifts or fresh produce. It’s a great way to support your neighbors.”

Hayrides, Pumpkin Painting, Wine Tasting, and Arts!

Bring the entire family to enjoy a petting zoo, pony rides, and hayrides. Featured activities also include pumpkin painting, tote bag decorating, and birdfeeder pine cones. Shopping enthusiasts can find a variety of vendors selling arts, crafts, and other items. Kurt Michael Friese, author of Slow Food in the Heartland and founding chef of Devotay in Iowa City, will speak and sign copies of his book at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Century 21 Heartland Real Estate, on the northwest side of the square. Look for regional artist Tom Roe’s beautiful water colors on display. The Department of Natural Resources will have an educational walk-through trailer available to view the process of recycling and composting.

The evening will also feature raffle drawings for baskets filled with items donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets will be available on the square at the celebration. From Van Buren County, Whispering Pines Winery will host Wine Tastings from 6–9 p.m. in the Iowa State Bank Gallery on the northeast corner of the square.

Live music from the Fairfield Dixieland Band will kick off the evening’s festivities at 6 p.m. with Dixieland, jazz, blues, and swing music from the 1930s through the ’50s. Then at 7:30 p.m., the popular Jefferson County Green Band takes the stage to offer a mix of original songs with favorite classics. Art galleries will be open, along with Fairfield shops.

“The 1st Fridays Art Walk has established its self as a premier state-wide event and has partnered with the popular Buy Fresh Buy Local to raise awareness of our Iowa treasures of farmers’ markets, family farms, and local businesses that serve or sell locally grown items,” says Rustin Lippincott, Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Fairfield has taken something that is great for our society and has planned something that is great fun to experience.”

All Things Local is sponsored in part by the Fairfield Iowa Convention and Visitors Bureau. In case of rain, activities will be moved to the Armory, at Broadway and B Street. For more information, call 472-6177 or visit fairfieldartwalk.com.

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