June 15, 2015 at 4:46 p.m.
Art lovers, car show fans persevere despite wet weather
Art lovers, car show fans persevere despite wet weather
By Kayla Thomason-
"The turnout has been dampened a little bit by the damp weather but overall it started off really well," said Dana DeMet, executive director of the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce.
There were around 80 vendors, which is the same as last year.
"The show each year is right about the same size, it's a good size, we can cover the lawn at the courthouse, go a little bit down Davenport (Street) and it provides enough variety for people to see different things," DeMet said.
As visitors perused the booths - doing their best to stay dry in the light rain - the air was filled with the sweet smell of cinnamon-coated nuts, fragrant cranberry goods, rich toffees and other intoxicating scents.
Visitors saw vibrant colors in the jewelry, felt the soft textiles and clothing, gazed upon art that captured a unique perspective of the world, and much more.
Brady Flower, owner of Photo Letter Project, enjoyed his first year at the art show.
"It's been nice," Flower said. "You can tell, especially if the weather was a little nicer it'd be a ton of people, and it's still been a lot of people even with it being wet."
Flower was selling tiles with letters - photographs of various things in the world that resembled letters - and guests could pick and choose what they wanted to spell out.
"We've taken these photographs of things in the environment that look like letters and we put them together to spell various words," Flower said.
Some people chose to spell a name while others opted for an inspirational word or phrase. Customers also got to choose a frame and if the letters would be hung on the wall or placed on a desk at home.
Flower said he became inspired after seeing something similar. He couldn't find anyone to get the photos from so he spent a year capturing all of the images.
Kelcie LaChapelle said she was pleased with the variety of goods available. This was her first time at the show.
"It's great, I've loved all of the different things they have. They have a lot of things for little kids too, it's been really fun," she said.
LaChapelle said she enjoyed seeing the American Girl Clothes and found the sculpture work amazing.
Those who were new to the show and those who have had booths set up for years enjoyed the event.
David Ng has been a vendor at the show for 25 years.
"I think it has always been a consistent show," Ng said. "People who have been here before knows about this show from word-of-mouth and over the years of coming to this show."
He was selling applique lady's apparel.
"We buy plain shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts but we put the design on one piece at a time to make the design with different fabric color," he said.
Mike Richie, a first-time attendee, said he liked the variety of items as well.
"One of the vendors had some photos of the area lakes and that was interesting," Richie said.
DeMet was thrilled to see so many people downtown despite the rain.
"We're really happy that we get the public's support," DeMet said. "I think it's a great thing to have both the car show and the art fair at the same time, it gives people a really good reason to come downtown and hang out with us in Rhinelander."
Second Saturday in June Car Show
Vehicles new and old were lined up on Brown Street for the Second Saturday in June Car Show.
Onlookers crowded under the canopies and watched as the rain came down in a fine mist.
Some visitors wandered out with umbrellas to get a closer look at the vehicles.
"It's very nice to see that the cars aren't pulling out," said Kim Bates, a first-year attendee. "A lot of times you go and it rains and the cars pull out, so it's nice to see that people are staying and the car owners are understanding."
She and her husband, Daniel Bates, were scoping out the show.
"We're just checking it out to see if we can bring our (cars) next year," Daniel Bates said.
The Bateses have a 1976 Camaro and a 1969 Chevelle. Their son may even bring his 1979 Camaro.
Daniel Bates liked the music, food vendors and location.
"It's nice that it's on the main street," he said.
"We like the main street ones they bring stuff into the community so we like that, it's great," Kim Bates added.
Ronald Franks has been a spectator for four to five years but this is his first as a vendor.
He and his Ford Mustang Shelby traveled all the way from Union Grove to be a part of the show.
"(It's a) pretty good turnout considering the weather," Franks said.
He was surprised by how many vehicles were present.
"I just hope that it continues, that the show prospers," Franks said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@ rivernewsonline.com.
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