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Carbondale Art and Wine Fair carries on despite storm clouds

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, The Southern

Friday, July 11, 2008 11:13 PM CDT

CARBONDALE ? The threat of stormy weather didn't put the cork in Carbondale Main Street's Art and Wine Fair on Friday.

Instead, organizers battened down the wine tent hatches in preparation of whatever the weather had in store for the first fair held in and around the Town Square Pavilion.

"I've been warning our vendors of the impending inclement weather. We've got sandbags holding down the tents, plus tie-downs to keep them from Dorothy-spinning off into the universe," Barbara Eidlin, CMS administrative assistant, said with a laugh. "We've been watching the weather for days and we expect this storm if it comes, to blow over quickly and cool things off for a wonderful evening."

More than 2,000 people were expected to attend the event that was delayed by weather from its previously scheduled date in May, CMS Executive Director Meghan Cole said.

"We were rained out last time, but tonight, we stay here," she said, unconcerned that rain would cause the fair to fizzle. "We're in Southern Illinois where wine goes with most things."

The fair provided a showcase for the 10 members of the Shawnee Wine Trail, Stuart Wayman of Hedman Vineyards in Alto Pass said.

"This brings all the wineries together and allows people to taste all the wines of the trail at one location," Wayman said.

Tim Waller of Inheritance Valley Vineyards in Cobden said events like the fair help promote the wine trail.

""It's amazing. We've been open five years and there are still people who will walk up who are from the Cobden and Anna area and they have no idea we're there," Waller said.

Dale Ritzel of Murphysboro came to the fair to sample the wines and view the art on display.

"I get to taste all the wines in one place, instead of driving to all 10," he said. "It's one stop, and I save gas and have fun."

Carl Rexroad, a former Southern editor, was among those who brought art to display.

The base of each of his wine bottle lamps is a labeled bottle from a local winery.

"I saw something similar and since we have so many local wineries, many of them with unusual labels, I decided to try it myself," he said. "I've never actually tried to sell them before, so we'll see if anyone responds."

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