Event Description

The Fall Art & Craft Stroll will be held in downtown Kankakee on Sunday, September 8th from 11:00am - 4:00pm. You don’t want to miss it!!

This free event, presented by the Community Arts Council of Kankakee County, will showcase 80+ local artists and craft artisans who will exhibit and sell a variety of work. The Stroll runs from inside the historic Depot, around the fountain circle, one block east on Merchant and then south on Schuyler Avenue, with additional vendors in the Kankakee Farmers’ Market lot.

Handmade arts and crafts will include art work - paintings, drawings, anime – photography and photographic items, stained glass, pottery and ceramics, painted porcelain and glass, wood carvings, metal work, and painted glass and porcelain creations, as well as custom jewelry, crocheted items, garden art, needlework, soaps and lotions, repurposed furniture and much more.

You’ll find a large variety of items along the 200 block of S. Schuyler with a wide array of paintings, drawings, pottery, metal work and more. Be sure to visit the shops along the way – Feed Art, Moon Cookie Gallery, Align Yoga, Love’s, Olde Roots, C&L Fine Goods and stop in for a special drink at Grapes & Hops.

Merchant Street between Schuyler and The Depot will include the kids’ zone offering free art-related children’s activities, chalk art, games, balloon art, and magic. The Search, Rescue & Apprehend – Bradley Police and Aroma Park Police K-9 Unit will be on-site in the Farmers’ Market Lot from 11:00am – 12:00pm and the Kankakee Fire Department and the Fire Safety House from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Fee activities will include face painting by BBCHS Art groups and a dime toss hosted by GiGi’s Playhouse.

Merchant Street and the Circle area by The Depot will also be home to artists and crafters offering a variety of handmade jewelry, wood items, garden art, soaps, sewn and crocheted items.

Be sure to stop in at The Depot for additional artists and crafters - custom wood pens, photography, the Art League, view the beautiful quilts on display from the Kankakee Quiltmakers, and buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a quilt! Take a break on the back platform of the Depot and listen to live music by Patrick Noland.

Stroll the landscaped walk along the Depot, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful flowers and plants . . stop in at the Kankakee Train Museum’s annual Railfest. Visit the railroad museum, step inside the old train car, visit the museum shop filled with model trains and railroad signs.

The Friends of the Kankakee Public Library will hold their used book sale on the front porch of The Depot.

Local theatre groups will be showcasing their talents and offering information on upcoming theatrical events

Don’t forget The Farmers’ Market Lot which will be filled with things to see and do, including Paradox Emporium’s – Escape Room & More. See live demonstrations of chainsaw carving, blacksmithing, spinning and electric wood burning design.

Entertainment will be offered throughout the day on The Depot platform and the stage on Schuyler – KVTA, Boots In Motion, Limelight Theater Group, Tori Morgan, and so much more. Watch for spur-of-the-moment on-street entertainment.

And food! Food trucks will be set up in the parking lot north of The Depot offering a variety of sandwiches, including sausage, brats, burgers and hot dogs, pulled chicken and pork, plus specialty salads, popcorn, taffy apples and other treats.

Free event, free parking. Come out for a fun-filled day!

For more information, contact Nancy at 815.954.7702, momdutour@gmail.com or Dee at 815.662.7488, dee.cook@hotmail.com.