08/20/2025
I've had several reach out asking about our Southern Charm on the Farm - A Southern Illinois Vintage Market, that we have hosted at the Saline County Fairgrounds the past 3 years. We planned it on the second weekend of October in 2022, because the Sasquatch Festival had started the year before on the 1st weekend of October. Somehow the Sasquatch Fest, the Bluegrass Fest and Southern Charm on the Farm Market all ended up on the same weekend that first year, we still had an amazing turnout and a great show, but we didn't want to infringe on the other two festivals in town so we opted to move our show to the 1st weekend of October for our 2023 show, however the Sasquatch Festival was also moved to the 1st weekend of October. We still had a wonderful show, great crowd and awesome vendors. Our 2024 show we decided to leave our show on the 1st weekend of October due to the fact there are so many Craft shows and Markets to plan around in the Fall, but with Sasquatch days growing -which is wonderful! Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled for our community to have such a nice festival in town. But with it getting bigger every year, and the neighboring town last year rescheduling their HUGE Market due to weather conditions on the same weekend as us last year, ours was a stressful event, vendors canceling a week out because they had been rescheduled for a show that they spent up to $550 for a booth at, or cancel for a show which is FREE to setup at, which I understand completely, that's life. However vendors packing up in the middle of a show is a major no no. Any vendor that is a real vendor knows better. Its rude and inconsiderate to the vendors and customers that paid money to come shop. Which brings me to my next point, Sasquatch Days and Bluegrass Festival both receive money every year from Donations and Saline County Board of Tourism. Southern Charm on the Farm however was paid for out of my pocket, that is why there had to be admission fee, and booth fees to help cover the costs from the Fair Ground Rental $$$$, Advertising $$$ Port-o-Potties $$$, Special Insurance Policy $$$, Entertainment $$$, Signage $$$ Workers $$$ Decor and weekends spent getting the word out at parades. I just felt like this story needed to be shared, I don't think a lot realize how much time, money, effort, and planning goes into these shows year round.
