Homewood's Art and Garden Street Fair Set for June 12-13

A Homewood summer favorite will return next weekend, Friday, June 12 through Saturday, June 13. The 8th annual Downtown Homewood Art & Garden Street Fair will be held at Hickory Rd. and Martin Ave. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The fair offers two days packed with entertainment and activities, including Ralph’s World, Miss Jamie & the Farmhands and Ben’s Bubble Show for the kids to the lively Bluegrass music of Sunny Side Up, Maggie Speaks, Matt Bailey and Ring of Music (a Matt Stedman Band). Unique hands-on activities include a “tinkering space” in anticipation of the upcoming Homewood Science Center opening and “Chalk of the Town”, an open-air public chalk art event. Artists from around Chicago will display their works including jewelry, home goods, garden art, fine arts, photography and more. Foodies will enjoy the wide variety of offerings from around the world and signature cocktails created just for fairgoers.

“Homewood celebrates the start of summer with the ‘Art & Garden Street Fair’,” said Allisa Opyd, Homewood Events Manager. “This festival showcases the best of what Homewood has to offer; community, fun, food, music and art. We invite all of Chicagoland to experience that with us.”

The fair kicks off with an outdoor yoga class led by Reflections Yoga at 10 a.m. and Ben’s Bubble show at 11 a.m. and Ralph’s World takes the stage at noon to rock out to the pint-size crew till 2 p.m. Adults will enjoy Sunnyside Up, a bluegrass band from 3 to 5 p.m. and Maggie Speaks from 6 to 9 p.m. Entertainment on Saturday, June 13 starts with Miss Jamie & the Farmhands, music and puppetry for kids, from 11 a.m. to noon. followed by Matt Bailey from 3 to 5 p.m. and Ring of Music (A Matt Stedman Band) from 6 to 9 p.m. (Full Schedule of Events below).

Hands-on activities include a unique ”tinkering space” table in anticipation of the upcoming Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway. Kids of all ages will have free rein over recycled materials and battery-powered motors to experiment and free build from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Members of the Homewood Science Center Advisory Board will be on hand to assist. The Homewood Science Center is being developed as a versatile, vibrant, community-based science center enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.

“Art and science are intrinsically connected,” said Rachael Jones, marketing and economic development consultant. “Art helps kids connect to science concepts in a more visual way and vice versa. Tinkering, making, building with your own hands enhances those concepts and puts the Arts in STEM to create STEAM. We are excited about the upcoming Science Center and are pleased to offer this opportunity for the community to get a tiny taste of good things to come.”

Additional hands-on activities include a gardening activity using recycled materials on Friday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m visitors can experience “Chalk of the Town” and create a sidewalk chalk masterpiece with professional chalk artists. ($10 fee per square). Also on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids can build and/or decorate a bird or squirrel feeder (free). Both days will feature a kids garden gnome painting project for ages 2 to 16. Gnomes kits may be purchased in advance from Art 4 Soul (18134 Harwood Ave.) for $20 or purchased and completed on Friday. Participants can paint on Friday and enter the contest on Saturday. Complete gnome details at www.Art4Soul.com.

Artists at the 2015 “Downtown Homewood Art & Garden Street Fair” include booths by local boutiques including Global Fusion, Thomas Photographic Services, Art Corner, UpsaDaisy Boutique, Art4Soul and Paintertaining. Jewelry artists include Bayete Collection, Cloud Nine Sterling, Donna’s Designs, Hermosa by Carolyn, Origami Owl, Out on a Limb and Vondell Designs. Home and garden items by Ali B & Co., Doughney Design, Glassy Girls, Margaret’s Mosaics, Plates ‘N Such and Urban Threads. Wearable art vendors include Knotty Knits Designs, Poppies and Wink & Belle. And fine arts presentations by Fire Cut Glass, Village Artists and more.

Food vendors include TJ’s Kettle Corn, Wiley’s Grill, Enjoi Bakery, Grady’s Grille, EmpanadUS, Bakewell Bakery, The Cottage on Dixie, Cilantro Cocina Mexicana and Tiddleywink Toffee.

The event is free and open to the public. More information at 708-798-3000 or visit Home Sweet Homewood.