NewsSaturday, August 25, 2007 9:05 PM CDT

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Rain grounds balloons, but art fair draws crowd

By Patti Welander
pwelander@mchsi.com

LINCOLN — Rain may have put a damper on the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival’s balloon events, but drier weather arrived just in time for the downtown art show.

Balloon events on Friday night and Saturday morning were canceled because of wet weather, but the sun came out for the opening of the art festival Saturday morning.

Crowds for the art fair were “exceptional,” said art fair co-chair Debbie Ackerman.

More than 80 juried artists participated in the fair. First-time participant Jill Flinn won best of show for her paper clay whimsical works.

Flinn and her husband operate a no-kill pet shelter in Glasgow, Mo., and her works feature some of their many pets. Flinn says her works are meant to “bring a smile,” with pieces titled “Cinco de Meow” and “One Flea Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

And sometimes buyers also end up adopting a pet from the couple. Flinn’s husband, Steve, estimated that conversations about the pets at art fairs have encouraged at least six people to adopt animals from their shelter.

Adults weren’t the only ones enjoying the art. The Children’s Art Tent and Gallery also saw large crowds, with children eagerly creating sand art, picture frames, weaving projects, stamp art and puzzles.

Although she is not ready to be a juried artist, three-year-old Grace Doolin of Emden was among many who said the sand art project was her favorite. Coordinator Lacey Buss said some adults have even paid to create a sand pen of their own.

In addition to creating art, children can purchase affordable items donated by the artists. Ackerman said that kids can purchase items to start their own art collection.

The art show continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. Other activities downtown on Sunday include a cool cruisers cruise-in, a flea market, the art of wine tent, a craft fair, a book sale and farmers market.

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Take a look

Nicole Bartelmay sold souvenier balloons during the craft sale in Scully Park in downtown Lincoln as part of the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, Saturday August 25, 2007. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY

Sherri Mester of Emden listens to a wind chime she was purchasing from Myrt Richey of Delavan during the craft sale in Scully Park as part of the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival, Saturday August 25, 2007. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY

''Mr. Fuzzle a Magic Pet'' creator Everett Whitnel of Vienna, gave a demonstration of his nylon toy atScully Park in Lincoln. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY

Madelyn Climer, 5, of Lincoln held her stuffed animal, a dalmatian puppy, while walking through Scully Park in Lincoln. Pantagraph/STEVE SMEDLEY

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