By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

CARLINVILLE, Ill. — Memorial Day weekend is the opening of many big summer hurrahs: the pools open, ice cream is again tops and festivals kick off this annual gateway to central Illinois’ long hot summer.

For those around Carlinville, the Macoupin County Historical Society and Agricultural Assoc. work together each year for what everyone simply calls “The Strawberry Festival,” for obvious reasons.
The line outside the big red barn serving ham and beans, chicken and noodles and strawberry shortcake, like always, wound close to the three-story white Anderson Mansion, which was open for tours. The pork steaks and other venues were crowded as well and more than one visitor was heard to say, “I eat my way through the Strawberry Festival each year.”

Antique tractor enthusiasts came to see the variety of tractors on hand. Oliver and Minneapolis Moline were this year’s featured brands. Visitors came from as far away as Godfrey and Belleville, Ill., for this annual event.

The Staunton FFA and FFA Alumni were on hand, raffling off their beautifully restored Case VAC tractor. The big winner could claim either the tractor or $1,500 in cash if they held the winning ticket.
Many beautiful tractors were present, such as Bill Miller’s JD 60 orchard all-fuel. Another tractor had a Stop Cancer; Get Tested sign on it, in the traditional breast cancer prevention pink color to remind visitors to test for this deadly disease.

In the vendor section, Cox Pottery was on hand with Charlie and Debby Cox from Palmyra, Ill. At their website at http://coxpottery.com they share a bit about their work.
Charlie Cox explained, “Earth, water and fire are the elements I try to manipulate to form my work. The earth and water are used to form, shape and then color my creations. I use fire to remove the water and set the color and earth. The art of juggling these elements in different proportions and temperatures is like solving a puzzle for me.

“Even when the form takes shape, the glaze is tested and applied; the kiln is fired according to many previous firing notes, I still have to deal with the humidity in the air and the wind. So the puzzle changes every time.”

The work the couple creates is made in their homemade kiln: “The works that we do here at Cox Pottery are one of a kind, each piece is handmade, formed and altered. No two works are alike. We work from home. We sell our wares at art fairs, craft shows and even county fairs.”

Another group of artists sharing their talent at the Strawberry Festival were the Macoupin County Woodcarvers of Carlinville, Ill. Many of their works, especially those of master carver Bill McAllister, had an agricultural theme.

Besides displaying their art, they were also trying to recruit new members. They had a brochure they were passing out that asked, “Did you ever have an interest in woodcarving? If so, come and join us on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.”

(Readers who are interested in attending may contact Bill McAllister at 217-854-3314.)

The blacksmith shop was where visitors went to watch talented craftsmen bend metal effortlessly.

Demonstra-tions of weaving and other needlework were also ongoing during this two-day event. Food, music, tractors and great things to buy, along with beautiful weather during this fickle time of year, made this one for the record books. The Macoupin County Historical Society and Agricultural Assoc. also has a fall festival the third weekend in September, along with many other fun activities. The Anderson Mansion is always wonderful to tour and the outbuildings are a great draw for kids.

Go online to www.carlinvillechamber.com/society.html for details.