Centralia’s 13th annual Locust Street Fair was dampened by rainfall early Saturday morning, but as the day went on and skies cleared, visitors turned out to see the available vendors and attractions.
Last year, the fair was canceled due to lightning strikes early in the morning. Community Development Director Gayla Harting said she was glad that this year, weather did not stop the event before it started.
“It’s finished now, and we’re out here,” Harting said. “The people are starting to pick up crowd-wise. Our vendors all stayed and showed up. They were all set up before the rain even hit, so we just took cover for a little while. Now we’re back out and at it, and ESDA has told us it’s clear and done and we’re ready.”
Harting says the fair is a result of yearlong coordinated effort and planning by the Centralia Historic Preservation Commission.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into it throughout the year, and then it comes together. You’ve got a lot of good people helping with this. The Historic Preservation Commission that puts this on is all out here this morning at 7, getting ready and helping.”
Visitors to the fair were able to see a car show and display by the Antique Power Club, browse a variety of food vendors and craft vendors, and see art displays by the Centralia Cultural Society and Elmwood Speaks performances by local actors at the Illinois Theatre.
