MOUNT MORRIS – The Third Annual US National Straw Sculpting Competition opened Friday, Aug 10 on the Mount Morris campus square.
Six new sculptures for 2018 are featured: “Straw”Bine: Harvest Time” by Kathy Driscoll, “The Garden” by Steve Lentz, “Huff and Puff” by Kate May Fitch, “StrawSquatch” by Chris Mann, “Headless Horseman” by Danica Rogers, and “Stretchy Cat” by Kelly Madison. The sculptures will be on display for the public to enjoy each day through Aug. 26.
Saturday, Aug. 2h will be Straw Fest featuring blacksmith demos from noon- 4 p.m., mechanical bull riding, round bale races start at 2 p.m., square dancing in the street from 4-6 p.m. (experienced and inexperienced all welcome), and the straw sculpting competition awards will be announced at 6 p.m. There will be food in the evening and at 6:30 p.m. Lyle Grobe & the Rhythm Ramblers (Classic Country) live on the bandshell stage to wrap up the day.
Other activities during the straw sculpting competition include Fiber Art Through Time, a fine arts exhibit in Encore’s Old Sandstone Gallery, and live music on the campus.
Additional new opportunities for participation in the festival include:
The Big Bison Community Build, members of the greater community including visitors are invited to help us build our larger than life size straw bison on Hwy 64 behind Union Savings Bank. See how straw sculptures are built and enjoy some hands -on time helping create something special. The community part of the build started Monday, Aug. 13 and continues until it’s finished. Sign up to help at StrawUSA.com or stop by if you see us working.
The Straw Jam Stage is a new informal live music venue in the shade, next to the straw sculptures. Encore! Mt. Morris is inviting musicians to sign up and play a freely given set anytime the schedule is open during the straw competition. Sign-up details, along with information on all the events is available online at StrawUSA.com.
Encore! Mt. Morris is composed of volunteers committed to developing Mount Morris into a unique, thriving rural and cultural arts destination in northwest Illinois. ENCORE! Mt. Morris is a cultural initiative of the Mount Morris Economic Development Corp. Volunteers and donations are welcome. Learn more at EncoreMtMorris.com, also on Facebook.
