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" ...starting the fair earlier in the day, maybe 8am? Starting earlier in the day would make sense to help people beat a little of the heat. Or, how about having it the weekend after ISU graduates in June? It'd only be a few weeks earlier than it is now, but that might make a difference with temperatures (at least maybe some of the humidity). I agree that this fair is not kid friendly, but I also don't see why it needs to be. As another poster said, there are plenty of kid-oriented events in the community already. And who wants to haul a cranky kid around in this kind of heat anyway? Sounds like complete misery to me! As if you aren't already hot enough, how about having to hold something with a body heat of its own in your arms! And, many of the booths feature very fragile items, which very definitely would not mix well with children. "

" Normal needs to stop acting like a small town by not having festivals that go into the night. So many other cities with like populatons do. If conservative Normal does not want to get with the "times" then they should move the festival to downtown Bloomington, where atleast the downtown actually has a night life. "

" No everything has to be centered around "the kids". You want kid friendly then head to the Discovery M. We need more community events centered around "the adults". "

" I would LOVE to see more live bands at this event. Why not use that stage later in to the evening. Evening is when it gets much cooler outside. Everyone loves an outdoor evening concert. This town thinks everything need to end way before the sun goes down. Let's make this more like a "real" festival!!! "

" is that this could not be held in Spring or Fall because the college kids are here then. Now that would be a huge mess all down there. "

" Due to the heat it might be something to think about but as someone who has experience in this area - the time change would have to be heavily promoted - people are just used to things such as this being over by 5 PM. Also, you could only have it on Saturday night as you have to keep in mind the vendors need to be able to tear down at a decent time on Sunday and before it gets dark. For someone who has been there a 10 to 8 day is a very long day for a vendor! "

" I would agree with Sam- does anyone know why it closes up so early anyhow? "

" I would love to see the festival hours extended into early evening! My parents would be likely to attend then. They both are to avoid being out in the heat due to health problems. It has been a big disappoint to them that the weather is usually too warm for them to attend. Perhaps moving more of the festival to the shade of the ISU quad would be a draw too. Hats off to all the performers who performed in the hot temperatures! Also a special thanks to the children from Mt. Pisgah who performed this afternoon. They were adorable and enthusiastic. "

" ...about 1:00. Several vendors said as the day got hotter, their sales went down. I know we were too hot to spend as much time looking in some of the booths as we would have liked. I agree with previous posters: put the entire thing on the Quad. The shade helped tremendously! Also, I wish the town would consider doing something like this in the spring or fall when temps are usually more manageable. One vendor today said another vendor had a sun stroke yesterday and her husband continued working the booth, only to get heat exhaustion. Speaking for myself, I definitely feel more inclined to spend money when I'm comfortable and not spending so much time wiping sweat from my face! "

" The festival is great. We enjoy it every year. The area of the quad was great, especially yesterday since it was so hot. It was so much more pleasant to visit the vendors on the quad because of the shade. I also think even more of the festival should be moved to the quad. We also would love to have hours in the evening just to beat the heat of the day. "

" It's not kid friends, but it's money friendly!!! "

" The entire festival should be moved to the Quad. I spent more time there than I have in previous years because it was so much cooler on the Quad. It was a much nicer set up too to be able to wander around as opposed to straight up a line in blazing heat. "

" the art festival has turned into something special... i hope, that the organizers realize this, and take it to the next level. in my honest opinion...the whole thing needs to be taken to isu's quad. personally, i was more apt to spend money in a location that was shaded, and cooler than the rest of the festival...i can only imagine other people feel the same way. special attention needs to be given to the location of food vendors and music stages next year...seems to me, there has to be better set ups for these as well...especially the ones that were in downtown. the last thing i want to do is sit out in the hot sun and watch these wonderful musicians play...again...both stages on the quad, would be awesome! keep up the good work normal...you've got something here... "

" I loved the Festival! However, please consider those folks who have their workdays on Saturdays and Sundays. Would officials consider keeping the fair open later on Saturday night? By remaining open until at least 8PM, it would allow those working weekends to attend. Also, those who must limit their time outdoors due to the heat, might be come during later and cooler hours. Anyone else agree think this is something to consider? "

" Is the festival going on today also? Is it kid friendly? "

" My Sugar Creek business is down about 30% from previous years. I hope it isn't like that for Corn Fest. "

" Don't even think about going back to the old setup! This is a huge draw now. In years past it would take me a half hour to see everything. Took me about 1 1/2 hours yesterday! All the quality was great as well, no drop-off. This art festival has turned into a first class event, perhaps one of the premium events in Illinois now.. Great job! "

" Thanks to everyone who has helped with this great event! We have a great group of volunteers who make this event happen. Also, I need to clarify a statement: The attendance at the time of the interview, I estimate, was on track to be 25% to 30% above previous years, not 14,000 plus attending that morning. Thanks. "

" Though I've always liked this event in the past, the expanded size and use of the quad was really nice. I felt bad for those who were on the streets for the event. It was so much hotter, cramped and the stretch in front of the Allamo II parking lot smelled like sewage. Please incorporate the quad every year. "