URBANA - Downtown Urbana will take on an autumn feel Oct. 10 when the fourth annual Urbana Fall Fusion Festival brings local art, music, entertainment and family activities to Race and Main streets.
Presented by 40 North and the Urbana Arts & Culture Program, the free festival runs from 3 to 7 p.m. and will transform downtown with pumpkins, gourds and fall leaves.
Visitors can watch live art demonstrations, including painting by Chris Logan, fiber demonstrations by the CU Spinners & Weavers Guild, candle making by Fire Doll Studio and community tufting by High in Fiber.
Families can enjoy face painting, balloon art, caricatures, bubbles, henna tattoos, an instrument petting zoo and a 70-foot inflatable obstacle course. Community organizations also will offer interactive activities.
There will be free live music on the Fall Fusion stage, along with a special dance performance by University of Illinois Dance in the Community students. The CU Circus Collective will present circus acts, hula hooping, aerial performances and fire dancing.
Visitors also can take part in a “Goblin Hunt” scavenger hunt, explore interactive photo opportunities and visit downtown businesses offering festival food specials and retail sales.
An event map at the Fall Fusion headquarters tent will help visitors find participating artists, activities and downtown specials.
The festival will close with a fire performance, providing a dramatic finale to Urbana’s kickoff to the fall season.
See the Facebook post below for more details.
Saturday morning is a good time to grab your tote bags and head to Urbana's Market at the Square, where nearly 150 vendors are expected this week. From colorful melons and farm-fresh vegetables to goat cheese, sourdough, seasonal salads and handmade goods, there's plenty to browse, taste and take home.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Bread and pastries await shopper at Urbana's Market at the Square on Saturday. Central Illinois Bakehouse will back this week, located on the north end of the market on Row 4 next to Olde Tyme Kettle Korn.
URBANA — If your Saturday morning could use a little more color, flavor and time outside, Urbana's Market at the Square has plenty of reasons to make the trip.
Nearly 150 vendors are expected to fill the Lincoln Square Mall parking lot Saturday morning, giving shoppers a chance to stock up on fresh food, discover something new and spend some time talking with the people who grow, make and sell what ends up on their tables.
The market also arrives as foodborne illness has been making headlines nationally. U.S. cyclosporiasis cases have reached record levels this year, with the current multistate outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico among the largest recent foodborne illness outbreaks in the country, according to information provided from Reuters. The CDC and FDA have reported 6,358 illnesses across 15 states and at least 278 hospitalizations, although federal surveillance trails state reporting by several weeks.
That makes knowing where your food comes from an especially relevant part of the weekly shopping trip. Urbana's Market at the Square is a producer-only market, meaning vendors sell products they have grown, raised, made or produced locally in Illinois.
Among Saturday's vendors will be Moore Family Farms, a small family operation near Watseka that has been in the Moore family for nearly 100 years.
Jim, Diann and Wes Moore operate the farm on less than 100 acres, using a system that more closely resembles permaculture. The family began moving away from conventional farming practices in the mid-1980s, when Jim and Diann started a vegetable garden and began selling their produce at local farmers markets.
The farm also raises livestock and focuses on small-scale farming practices that the family says are designed to be friendly to animals, people and the environment.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Moore Family Farms will set up in four spaces on the southeast corner of the Lincoln Square Mall parking lot and will bring a variety of farm-fresh vegetables.
The Champaign farm, located at 4410 N. Lincoln Ave., has transformed what was once conventional row-crop farmland into a mix of goat pastures, fruit orchards, gardens, pollinator habitat and restored prairie.
Nearly 100 pasture-raised dairy goats graze rotational fields, helping build soil, cycle nutrients and support biodiversity. Milk from the goats is turned into fresh and aged farmstead cheeses in the farm's artisan creamery.
Lauren and Jeffrey Brokish steward the farm today, continuing its focus on regenerative agriculture while producing food that connects customers with the land and animals behind it.
If something sweet is calling your name, Everyday Feast will have plenty to choose from.
Hannah and Matt started the cottage food bakery as a business they could build together. Their menu draws inspiration from seasonal produce, family traditions and bright colors, with a rotating selection that includes fruit crumb bars, brownies, blondies and cookies.
The bakery also offers challah and sourdough, along with dips, spreads, granola and seasonal salads.
Everyday Feast regularly appears at the Urbana farmers market on Saturdays and also attends the Champaign Farmers Market on select Tuesdays. Customers can order online for scheduled pickup.
Another market favorite, Sola Gratia Farm, will bring watermelon and Korean melons this week.
Founded in 2012 by St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Sola Gratia Farm was established with the goal of building a regional food system in which high-quality, locally grown produce is available to everyone, including people facing economic disadvantages.
The farm uses organic production methods focused on growing nutritious fruits and vegetables while improving soil health and building a community around locally grown food.
In celebration of Farmers Market Week, Sola Gratia also is offering its shirts at 25% off.
Of course, produce is only part of what shoppers can find at the Market at the Square. Vendors offer meats, dairy products, prepared foods, plants, flowers, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, candles, clothing, body care products, garden décor and more.
For first-time visitors, the producer-only format is worth remembering. If you have a question about where or how something was produced, ask the vendor. That's part of the experience — and one of the easiest ways to get to know the people behind your food.
Payment options vary. All vendors accept cash and personal checks, while many accept credit cards. Some also take electronic payments through Venmo or Apple Pay.
LINK benefits are accepted at the market, although funds must be converted into market tokens before they can be used for purchases.
So grab your reusable bags, bring your appetite and leave a little room for discovery. Whether you're shopping for the week's meals, looking for something special for the family or just want to enjoy a relaxed Saturday morning, the Market at the Square offers plenty of reasons to wander through the stalls.
For more information about using a LINK card at the market and for additional weekly market information, visit urbanamarket.org.
This week's vendors:
Advocates for Aging Care
Al's 3D Pals
AO - Spicy and Sweet
AT&T
Atropos Scissors
Bad Bear Pottery
Bakelab LLC
Ben & Molly's Farm
Berries and Flour: Bakery & Harvest Goods, L.L.C.
bluecrowlavender
Bunning's Bakery
Burrito King Food Trucks
Carly Morrison Clay
Carnation Bookhouse
Cary's Garden of Eatin
Central Illinois Bakehouse
Champaign County Democrats
Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Champaign County Republician Party
Champaign Movie Makers
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
CIMIC
Cindy Sampson/sampson N delilah
Ck Almonds
Cloud Mountain Kombucha
CoolkidCreates & GraveyardCrafts
Country Cottage Farm
CRYSTAL VALLEY FARMS
Cuddlebug Cottage
CUDO Plays
Delight Flower Farm
Discardistry
Ellen's Melons Roots and Fruits
EvermoreWood
Everyday Feast
Fabrikate
Faux Market
Foufoufactory
Fruitful Vines
Grandpa's Millwork
Granny Cakes
Green G Farm
Hanna’s Hobbies
Harden Ranch
Heart Fired Pottery
Hooker & Dye
Illinois Willows
J&S Sales
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jessamyn Smith
Joyfully Blooming
Jurassic Grill
Keke's
Koller Family Gardens
La Petite Bakery
Lancaster Flower Co.
Lazy Daisy Diner and Cafe
Leeyah-Symone Lemonade Stand
Little Bird Pottery
Living Light Farms
LUSCIOUS LEAVES
Maxwell’s Mushroom Farm
Melissa Morgan
Mexican Delicacies La Paloma
MILEUR ORCHARD
Moore Family Farm
Mueller Family Farm LLC
Nano Farms
Niece's Pieces Brownies
NitroCup
Not Too Sweet
nuEra Cannabis
Ochoa Farm
Office of Human Rights and Equity
Olde Tyme Kettle Korn
Phil Strang Artist
Piato Catering & Organic Food Nanny
PopCycle, LLC
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Reimagined Relics
Richard Oosterhoff & Son
Roth Countryside Produce
Science at the Market, Physics UIUC
Silver Lining Goods
simply vicki
Sista's Savory Organic Tea LLC
Skye & Earth Jewelry
Sola Gratia Farm
Sparkles by Stephanie
Stango Cuisine
Stone & Knife
Strawberry Void
Strictly Wicks Candle Company
Sugared In Champaign LLC
Suline Creations LLC
Tegeler Sweet Corn
The Blooming Idiot
The Button Man
The Cousins Dog Biscuit Co
The Fancy Tomato
The Hangout Creation Station
The Little Farm Co.
The Wright Soapery
Thoughtful Fiber Arts
Three Angels Family Farm
Three Berry Flowers
Tiger Gardens
Triple S Farms
Twin City Theatre Company
Uniquely Blended Mood Modifiers
University of Illinois Developmental Psychology Labs
Upper Sangamon River Conservancy
Urbana Woodworks
Watson's Shack & Rail
TAGS:
Urbana Market at the Square Saturday vendors, fresh produce farmers market Urbana Illinois, local food vendors in Urbana Champaign County, Farmers Market Week Urbana Illinois, producer-only farmers market near Champaign Illinois
Urbana’s Market at the Square brings more than 100 Illinois vendors to Lincoln Square Mall every Saturday, offering fresh food, handmade goods, and local products.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Early shoppers enjoy a quiet morning at last month's Urbana Market at the Square.
URBANA - Long before the summer heat settles in, shoppers begin filling the walkways at Lincoln Square Mall, where more than 100 Illinois farmers, food producers and artisans transform Urbana's Market at the Square into one of the region's largest weekly gatherings for locally grown food and handcrafted goods.
Open from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday through the last weekend in October, the producer-only market offers visitors the opportunity to buy directly from the people who grow, raise and make their products in Illinois.
From fresh produce and locally raised meats to handmade pottery, jewelry, candles, clothing and garden décor, the market draws thousands of shoppers throughout the season while supporting Illinois agriculture and small businesses.
Returning shoppers know the market as a place to stock up on seasonal fruits and vegetables, browse handcrafted artwork and enjoy a leisurely Saturday morning. First-time visitors will find vendors selling an extensive selection of products, including dairy items, prepared foods, flowers, plants, woodwork and body care products.
All vendors accept cash and personal checks. Many also accept credit cards, while some offer electronic payment options through Venmo and Apple Pay. LINK benefits are accepted after being converted into market tokens.
Among the featured vendors this Saturday, July 4, is Voss Pecans, a family-owned farm in Southern Illinois that has supplied fresh pecans to Market at the Square customers for nearly three decades.
Saturday marks one of only three remaining appearances this summer for the Voss family, whose operation spans four generations. Family members handle every step of production, including orchard maintenance, harvesting, cleaning, cracking and packaging, before bringing the finished product directly to market.
Fresh vegetables and microgreens will also be abundant at The Little Farm Co., where shoppers can find broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, arugula, sunflower shoots, pea shoots, cilantro, basil, radish, tatsoi, Swiss chard, leeks, wheatgrass, popcorn shoots, cantaloupe and other seasonal produce.
The farm's wide selection of microgreens offers shoppers an easy way to add nutrient-rich greens to salads, sandwiches and smoothies. According to the farm, the varieties provide a broad range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and naturally occurring plant compounds, including vitamins A, C, E and K, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, sulforaphane and chlorophyll.
Art lovers can also visit the booth of Champaign-Urbana artist Phil Strang, who will display more than 80 prints and greeting cards created from his paintings.
Strang has painted since his junior high school years in New York and has spent the past 20 years developing a distinctive style of painting on glass. After eye surgeries made intricate work more difficult, he began experimenting with splatter painting in 2014.
A Champaign-Urbana resident for 56 years, Strang has also built a long career in the local arts community as a musician, actor, writer and theater manager. He has performed in more than 50 theatrical productions, written numerous reviews covering music, art and theater, managed a music store for more than 30 years and later oversaw two theaters and an auditorium at the University of Illinois. Since retiring in 2016, he has continued painting.
Whether visitors arrive with shopping lists or simply want to enjoy a morning outdoors, Market at the Square remains one of Urbana's signature summer destinations, offering fresh food, handcrafted goods and the chance to meet the people behind them.
Additional information about weekly vendors, market events and LINK benefits is available at the market's website.
This week's vendors:
AO - Spicy and Sweet
AT&T
Atropos Scissors
Bad Bear Pottery
Bakelab LLC
BeepBoop
Ben & Molly's Farm
Burrito King Food Trucks
Carly Morrison Clay
Carnation Bookhouse
Cary's Garden of Eatin
Central Illinois Bakehouse
Chamomile Rose Massage Therapy Clinic LLc
Champaign County Democrats
Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Champaign County Indivisible
Champaign Urbana Reparations Coalition
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
CIMIC
Cindy Sampson/Sampson N Delilah
Ck Almonds
Claybank Farms
Country Cottage Farm
CRYSTAL VALLEY FARMS
Cuddlebug Cottage
Delight Flower Farm
Denim & Dye
Discardistry
El Oasis
Ellen's Melons Roots and Fruits
Elm City Coffee
EvermoreWood
Everyday Feast
Foufoufactory
Fresh Press
Fruitful Vines
Gadgets & Gizmos A-plenty
Gelater llc
Good Judys Espresso & Bagel Bar
Good Thoughts
Granny Cakes
Green G Farm
Hanna’s Hobbies
Heart Fired Pottery
Illinois Willows
J&S Sales
Jasmine’s Jewelry Co
Jehovah's Witnesses
Joyfully Blooming
Jurassic Grill
Keke's
Key Lime Pie etc
Koller family gardens
Kountry Fresh / Koss Family Farms
Krase Crystals and Bugscapes
Lancaster Flower Co.
Lazy Daisy Diner and Cafe
Leeyah-Symone Lemonade Stand
Little Bird Pottery
Living Light Farms
Lucania Arts
Maxwell’s Mushroom Farm
Melissa Morgan
Mellie Lia Crafts
Mexican Delicacies La Paloma
MILEUR ORCHARD
Modern Rose Handstitched
Moore Family Farm
Mueller Family Farm LLC
Nano Farms
Niece's Pieces Brownies
NitroCup
Not Too Sweet
Ochoa Farm
Olde Tyme Kettle Korn
Perspire Sauna Studio
Phil Strang Artist
Piato Catering & Organic Food Nanny
PopCycle, LLC
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
QuirkyCraftopia
Redtail Academy MIddle School for Boys
Reimagined Relics
Richard Oosterhoff & Son
Roth Countryside Produce
Sager Farms
Sane jungle
SBSTRANDCOLLECTION
Science at the Market, Physics UIUC
Second Nature Honey
Siddity Pig Pork Snacks
Sierra Club Prairie Group
simply vicki
Sista's Savory Organic Tea LLC
Sola Gratia Farm
Sparkles by Stephanie
SPROUTS!
Stango Cuisine
Strawberry Void
Strictly Wicks Candle Company
Sugared In Champaign LLC
Sweet N Simple
The Button Man
The Fabric Loop
The Fancy Tomato
The Little Farm Co.
The Macaron Palace
The Rudd Homestead
The Wright Soapery
Thoughtful Fiber Arts
Three Angels Family Farm
Three Berry Flowers
Tiger Gardens
Triple S Farms
Twin City Theatre Company
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Developmental Psychology Labs
Urbana Woodworks
Voss Pecans
Warm Paws Baker
TAGS: Urbana Market at the Square Saturday vendor list Illinois, Lincoln Square Mall farmers market hours Urbana Illinois summer, Voss Pecans Illinois family farm market at the square schedule, Urbana IL producer only farmers market fresh local produce crafts, Champaign Urbana artisan vendors Market at the Square booth list
Emil "The Button Man" Cobb creates a new button for a customer last Thursday at Urbana's first Night Market at the Square at Lincoln Square Mall Thursday evening. Night Markets will be held every Thursday for the next five weeks in the Southeast parking lot, showcasing local artists, craftsmen, and food vendors. Next week, Panc8s will be the featured band for the event, sponsored by The Market and the Urbana Arts and Culture. Cobb creates photo buttons and keychains on the spot from customer social media feeds or phone albums.
URBANA - Looking to meet new people or maybe show off your artistic side? Unwind and chill at this post-workday event at the Urbana Arts and Culture free craft happy hour at the Urbana Free Library on Wednesday, April 3, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Each month, UAC offers a monthly drop-in crafts program for adults to enjoy after a long day at the office. This week, participants will create painted flower pots to take home. All the craft supplies needed will be provided and light refreshments will be available. Pre-registration is not required.
The adult craft happy hours are presented each month by Urbana Arts and Culture with a different craft and guest artist. For more information contact the Programming and Outreach Manager via email at programming@urbanafree.org or via phone at 217-367-4057.
(StatePoint Media) -- With the weather turning colder and having to stay indoors more over the next three months, starting a new hobby might be just the thing to make the winter months pass by faster. Have you ever been reluctant to try a new hobby because you were worried you would spend a lot of money on gear, supplies and other start-up costs only to lose interest later?
Here are five great ways to explore hobbies more affordably without dipping into your wallet:
1. Language exchange: Rather than purchase pricey software or attend in-person classes, consider finding a language exchange partner. Take turns conversing in each other’s native tongue and pick up important communication skills -- and maybe a friend -- along the way.
2. Built-in music lessons: Music lessons and instruments can be expensive. However, you don’t need a full-sized grand piano or multiple sessions with a private teacher to master the instrument. Today, digital keyboards can offer a high-quality piano sound at a price that’s within reach, along with features specifically designed for building the skills of novices. For example, Casio keyboards are affordable and some models are outfitted with Casio’s Step-up Lesson System, which can help you learn built-in songs at your own pace. Additionally, the LCD display teaches both music notation and correct hand positioning, while an innovative scoring system allows you to track your progress. By connecting to the free Chordana Play iOS/Android app, you can learn to play your favorite songs from downloaded MIDI files, taking your music further.
3. Pick-up games: While organized sports leagues are an opportunity to make friends and get some exercise, you may not have the time to commit to weekly games or the inclination to spend money on team equipment and uniforms. Whether you call up your best pals to play in the backyard, or try your luck at the local court or field, all the benefits of team sports (e.g. fresh air and camaraderie) can be experienced participating in a casual pick-up game.
4. Wellness: To participate in online yoga classes, all you need is a mat and comfy clothes. Online classes can deliver high-quality instruction for free on a schedule that works for you. The important thing is to find a teacher whose cues you understand and who practices a style that aligns with your needs and goals. Safety tip: if you are unsure how a certain pose or flow is performed, watch the video first before attempting it on your own.
5. Return-on-investment crafting: Crafting can be expensive, particularly if you work with high-quality materials. The good news is that once you master a particular skill, be it knitting, sewing or mosaics, there are opportunities to sell your work at craft fairs and on sites like Etsy. And of course, crafts can make amazing gifts for friends and family.
While hobbies can enrich the mind, body and soul, they don’t need to cost a fortune. With a little creativity, you can learn new skills and try different activities without breaking the bank.
Located in Lincoln Square Mall, Miranda's Loom features the work of around 15 local fine art artists. From intricate fiber arts to eye-catching pottery, there dozens of gift ideas you won't find anywhere else in Champaign-Urbana. Whether it is metal work, finely crafted turned wood or understated ikebana vases, there are dozens of art pieces waiting to become a sentimental addition to any home's decor.
Owner Leann Gehm is an award-winning artist who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art and a Master of Science degree in Art Therapy. Preferring plant-based natural fibers for her work, Gehm crafts colorful pieces with delicate precision.
Miranda's Loom, located near the mall center across from the food court, is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 6pm and on Saturday's from 10am - 2pm.
Below are six of more than of dozen one of a kind gift ideas from Miranda's Loom to put a smile on the face of that special someone this holiday season. See something you like? You will want to visit Gehm's store as soon as you can to see if the pieces featured below are still available.
Handwoven cowls
Above:Created on the premises, choose from more than a dozen handwoven cowls by artist and owner Leann Gehm. This piece is perfect when you want a lighter accessory for a splash of color or to keep you a bit warmer on a chilly day in the office or when out on the town. Gehm's cowls are eco-friendly made from eucalyptus fiber and embellished with glass beads. They are lightweight, silky with a wonderful drape. $68.
Bracelets
Below:While bracelets are commonly used as an accessory item to finish off a look, for many people they are more than just a stylish accessory. In some cultures bracelets carry a meaning deeper than the threads that compose them and are intimate gifts for both men and women. Made by Sarah Bernzott her free-spirited style will make a splash this holiday season. Prices from $12 - $50.
Gift Cards
Miranda's Loom Gift Cards are the perfect gift for the person who is difficult to buy for; let them choose from hundreds of art pieces in the store. There are handcrafted greeting cards, handmade basketry, gorgeous scarves for every occasion and more.
Available starting at $25 & up.
Pottery
Created by Paul Borian from Blanket Creek Pottery, his stoneware features high-luster glazes and an elegant form. Buy a single piece or choose from several available sets in the store today. Prices range $26 - $56 per piece.
Necklaces
Featuring mixed metals and semi-precious gemstones, Sarah Bernzott necklaces are stylish and unique for a refined finish to any outfit. Prices range $12 - $50.
Discover the headlines published on each of these days from our news and sports coverage from Champaign‑Urbana and the wider community. From local news and sports to community events, politics, and opinion pieces, The Sentinel archives capture the stories that shaped life in Champaign County year after year.
Visitors can watch live art demonstrations, including painting by Chris Logan, fiber demonstrations by the CU Spinners & Weavers Guild, candle making by Fire Doll Studio and community tufting by High in Fiber.
Families can enjoy face painting, balloon art, caricatures, bubbles, henna tattoos, an instrument petting zoo and a 70-foot inflatable obstacle course. Community organizations also will offer interactive activities.
There will be free live music on the Fall Fusion stage, along with a special dance performance by University of Illinois Dance in the Community students. The CU Circus Collective will present circus acts, hula hooping, aerial performances and fire dancing.
Visitors also can take part in a “Goblin Hunt” scavenger hunt, explore interactive photo opportunities and visit downtown businesses offering festival food specials and retail sales.
An event map at the Fall Fusion headquarters tent will help visitors find participating artists, activities and downtown specials.
The festival will close with a fire performance, providing a dramatic finale to Urbana’s kickoff to the fall season.
See the Facebook post below for more details.
Each month, UAC offers a monthly drop-in crafts program for adults to enjoy after a long day at the office. This week, participants will create painted flower pots to take home. All the craft supplies needed will be provided and light refreshments will be available. Pre-registration is not required.
The adult craft happy hours are presented each month by Urbana Arts and Culture with a different craft and guest artist. For more information contact the Programming and Outreach Manager via email at programming@urbanafree.org or via phone at 217-367-4057.
