Is Your Heirloom Valuable?

Historical Society to Host Antiques Appraisal Fair

Members of the CCHS Spring Fundraiser Committee include, from left, Larry Headlee, Dr. Dave Smith of Freshwater Farms, Ken Wright, Rob Pollock (chair), Sally Johnson, Beth Adair and Dan Walter.

The Champaign County Historical Museum has created a new spring fundraiser, Antiques Appraisal Fair, to be held in the museum from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 25. Patterned after the PBS series “Antiques Roadshow,” the event will be sponsored by the locally owned and operated Freshwater Farms of Ohio. All proceeds will benefit the museum, located at 809 East Lawn Ave., Urbana.

“We hope that this new fundraising event will be a success,” stated Rob Pollock, event chair. “The funds raised will help keep our museum open to the public.”

Five experienced appraisers in locations throughout the museum will describe the history and estimated value of each item presented. They include Jacob Berner (Donnelsville) – antiques and fine art; Dan Fawcett (Cable) – collectibles; Buzz Jackson (Springfield) – military artifacts; Rob Pollock (Urbana) – mechanical music, radios, business machines and office equipment; and Greg Shipley (West Liberty) – Native American artifacts. At least one of the appraisers has appeared on the PBS TV show.

The price of admission – $20 in advance, $25 at the door – includes one appraisal and a wine and cheese “bistro” provided by Freshwater Farms so that folks can socialize during the event and tour the museum rather than simply wait in line.

Regarding the “show” component, an appraiser will be announced five times throughout the evening; he will then present a special item to those gathered in the main meeting room.

Tickets may be purchased at the museum (Mondays and Tuesdays), at local banks – First Central National, Peoples, Perpetual, Civista Bank, all county Security National Bank locations – and online.

In addition to benefiting the museum and preserving its artifacts, the event is expected to be entertaining to attendees of all ages and hopefully one that will build from year to year. This is an opportunity to have evaluated a family heirloom, an item from the attic or perhaps something found when spring cleaning.

2024 Oktoberfest Vendor Registration

$40.00 - $90.00

FEE:

● Booth Space: (10 ft. by 10 ft.) cost is $40.00. Electricity is limited and an additional $50.

● Entry fees are not refundable after August 31, 2024.

● Refunds only upon cancellation of the Oktoberfest. There is NO RAIN DATE.

● Send a self-addressed, stamped, business size envelope with your application and fee no later than Sept. 30, 2024. A contract will be returned to you with 2 free admission tickets. If you do not receive confirmation within 2 weeks, call the Museum at 937-653-6721.

ELIGIBILITY:

● New vendors will be juried and must submit three photos of their craft. Vendors will be notified of acceptance and monies will be returned in the event of refusal.

● All exhibits will be limited to high quality, handcrafted, arts and crafts. Imported and mass-produced or factory-made items will be rejected.

FACILITIES:

● Event/Display area is on the Museum lawn.

● Exhibitors must provide all booth needs.

● Exhibits must be in place by 10:00am Sunday morning and all vehicles must be moved to the rear parking lot. No vehicles allowed on the event grounds.

● Dismantling exhibits or bringing vehicles on the grounds prior to 4:00pm without management approval will be cause for rejection at future Oktoberfests.

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2023 Oktoberfest Food Vendor Registration

$105.00

Applications are due by September 15, 2023.

Fee (non-refundable): $100.00 per 10' x 10' space (+ $5 online payment fee)

Electricity: 110 only - $50 (Limited Availability)

Commercial food truck set up begins at 7:30am on the day of the event. All exhibits must be in place and set up by 10:00am. Any vehicle remaining on the grounds after 10:00am without permission will be towed. Dismantling exhibits or bringing vehicles onto the grounds before the end of the event (4:00pm) without Society management approval will be considered cause for rejection at future OktoberFests. Contact [email protected] or (937) 653-6721 with any questions.

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