Published: September 21, 2006 07:53 pm         

Terre Haute Street Fair this weekend

TERRE HAUTE — The Terre Haute Street Fair runs today through Sunday.

The three-day festival combines some of Terre Haute’s popular annual events: Bleemel Days, the Crossroads Arts Fest and the Vigo County Public Library’s Family Learning Day.

The festival features food, live music, Terre Haute’s own Champagne Velvet beer, local artists and a children’s learning area.

In addition, organizers plan a car show, horse carriage rides, a farmers’ market and other exciting attractions for all ages. The fair is presented by Downtown Terre Haute Inc., an organization whose goal is to make downtown a better place to live and work.

The festivities will begin with live music and food at 4 p.m. today. Opening ceremonies are at the Community Stage at 6 p.m. Afterward, a car show features antique cars and hot rods.

Participants also can enjoy listening to live music from local and regional bands while enjoying their favorite food and beverages during the Bleemel Days festival tonight and Saturday night. The Bleemel Days Festival features Champagne Velvet Beer.

On Saturday morning, families can visit the library for family-oriented activities during Family Learning Day or wander downtown for other activities. Also on Saturday morning, patrons can buy fresh produce from the Downtown Farmer’s Market. Throughout the weekend, the ArtsFest gives families a chance to stroll around the festival grounds and enjoy visual arts from local and regional artists.

They also can enjoy performing arts from local community groups including Indiana State University’s Theatre Department. Kids of all ages can visit Smallville, Mach One Lane and the Cultural Corner, where they can engage in hands-on art and learning projects.

A food court containing a variety of local cuisine will be open throughout the Street Fair. Participants also can enjoy complimentary horse carriage rides. Festivities will take place downtown between Eighth and Ninth streets on Cherry Street, around the area surrounding Hulman Center. Family Learning Day will take place in the Vigo County Library on Poplar and Seventh streets.

The Terre Haute Street Fair is put on by Downtown Terre Haute Inc., an organization whose goal is to make downtown a better place to live and work. The Street Fair is made possible by the generous presenting sponsorships of Champagne Velvet Beer, Clabber Girl, First Financial Bank, Hamilton Center and Indiana State University.

Other prominent sponsors include AP&S Clinic, Garmong, IT Travel, Mace Mercury, Old National Bank, Pepsi, Terre Haute Savings Bank, Thompsons Honda, Union Hospital Health Group and Wright, Shagley & Lowery. In-kind sponsors include Graphic FX, Hulman Print Services, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Terre Haute Tribune Star, Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau, Time Warner Media Sales, Thompson Thrift and WilliamsRandall Marketing Communications.

The schedule for the Terre Haute Street Fair varies depending on the venue. Bleemel Days is 4 p.m. to midnight today, and the Brew Tent opens at noon Saturday, with live music from 4 to midnight. Family Learning Day occurs on 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The Crossroads ArtsFest runs 6 p.m. to midnight today; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The car show runs 5 to 9 p.m. today, with registration 5 to 7.

The Downtown Farmer’s Market runs 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. The opening ceremony is scheduled is at 6 p.m. today. The children’s area will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information about this event, call Andrew Conner, director, Downtown Terre Haute Inc., at (812) 237-2581.