Submitted
LOGAN — If you enjoy arts and crafts, come spend a fun Saturday in Logan: a farming community nestled in northwest Kansas, on Highway 9. Logan is home to the Dane G. Hansen Museum who sponsors one of the best arts and crafts fairs around. Saturday, August 18, 2018, numerous artists and crafters from Kansas and surrounding states will turn the Hansen Plaza Square into a shopper’s paradise. Family and friends rally together for this annual event held on the Hansen Plaza located on Main Street in downtown Logan, Kansas. There is no admission charge.
Crafters check in before dawn in preparation for the fairs’ 9:00 a.m. opening. Food vendors line two sides of the Square. Delicious offerings include hamburgers, brauts, chicken & noodles, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, sno-cones, kettle corn, cotton candy, and more. If you start the day hungry, you won’t be for long.
The day gets underway with a 5K Run/2 Mile Fun Walk. Registration and t-shirt pickup begins at 7:00 a.m at the corner of Douglas and Main in front of the Dane G. Hansen Museum. The 5K run will start at 8:00 a.m. with the 2 mile walk to follow at 8:15 a.m. All proceeds are donated to Phillips County Hospice Services.
For your listening pleasure, live music on two stages can be enjoyed throughout the day. The south stage will show case the talents of “Formerly Three” at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. With great enthusiasm and fantastic rhythm, “The Topeka High Drum Line” will entertain from the north stage at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Iowa chain saw artist, Blair Smith, will be on the grounds to astonish you with his chain saw artistry. Blair is scheduled to carve at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, & 2:00 for your viewing pleasure. Two of his incredible sculptures will be given away in drawings at 10:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
Artisans giving presentations around the Plaza Square throughout the day include: fast draw shooting by the Deer Creek Regulators; “Fleece to Fabric” by Area Weavers & Spinners and The Shepherd’s Mill; black smith techniques with Brian Bethke; oil painting by National Oil Painters of American Signature Member, David Vollbracht; calligraphy by Chandra Feldman; and wheel throwing techniques on the potter’s wheel with Chris Goedert.
After strolling around the Plaza Square, please step inside the museum and meander around the gallery. Our exhibit, “Luster: Realism & Hyperrealism in Contemporary Automobile and Motorcycle Painting” is a fantastic array of paintings in a variety of mediums. Come in, cool off, and enjoy the coolest car show around. While you are in the gallery, don’t forget to check out Sami J. Randle’s woven metal cuff bracelets for sale in our Artist of the Month area.
While your inside, amble over to the Community Room where you can check out antique appraising, quilting demonstrations, and membership sales. From 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., antique appraiser Bob Jones will be available to give a free verbal approximation of value on two of your antiques. At 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Stitch & Chatter’s Idona Duncan and Annette Look will give demonstrations on “No Sew Applique, Handy Dandy Go Anywhere Zipper Pouches, and the Handi Quilter Simply Sixteen with Little Foot Frame – with this little table anyone can machine quilt up to a king size quilt”. Please stop by the membership table to purchase or renew your Dane G. Hansen Museum membership. Purchasing a membership during the Arts & Crafts Fair automatically enters you in the Purchase Prize drawings. $500.00 dollars worth of Hansen Bucks will be given away in drawings held at 10:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Remember to stick around because you must be present to win these bucks!
At 9:00 a.m. Inflate-o-Fun will be ready to entertain the children with a train combo and bungee trampoline. At 10:00 a.m. the Kid’s Tent will host free face painting and balloons.
The highlight of the day will be the selection of 12 new winners (and two alternates) of the coveted “Artist of the Month” award. The crafters are judged for uniqueness, quality of craft, and display. Winners announced at 2:45 p.m. with prizes and photos to follow the fair’s 3:00 p.m. closing.
Join us for our 45th Annual Hansen Arts & Crafts Fair, Saturday, August 18, 2018, on the beautiful Hansen Plaza Square in downtown Logan, Kansas. Come hungry, bring your wallet, and wear your walking shoes. You’ll leave with a smile.