09/09/2026
Dear Local Vendors & Families,
While we have loved providing free entertainment to the kids this summer in hopes to increase the attendance of community members and vendors on what started as a weekly, then monthly basis, it just wasn't enough.
My husband and I have donated thousands of dollars in equipment and time to try and have a community event that everyone could enjoy but it just didn't help bring anyone in.
I want to thank our vendors who did continue to show up when they said they would even though it was a VERY tough and disappointing summer.
It's not fun admitting defeat but when you are running ragged and just not seeing the results it is time to throw in the towel.
The September 19th event has been cancelled due to paying jobs that have come in as well as it being Homecoming for our Timberwolves and I can assume the attendance would be just as bad as previous days or even worse.
As someone who knows how much time and effort that is put in as a vendor for an event, It is not fair to you to not see a return on your investments.
I appreciate everyone who tried to help keep the market and family days going but it is time to move on.
I am hopeful someone can take it over who has more time and resources to bring it back in some capacity. If you do wish to step in and take over please reach out via text 815-901-6101 to myself or email the village. I will gladly hand over the Email and page. My suggestion to anyone who takes it over is to charge vendors so they actually show up and you don't then disappoint the community with the amount of vendors with false advertisements.
To the vendors who said they would come and didn't for reasons out of your control I am sorry to lump you in with the ones who just didn't come because they found a better opportunity.
Vendors if you continue to take advantage of the FREE events they will no longer be offered as FREE. As someone who enjoys doing FREE events being on the other side of it has shown me WHY these Event programers charge what they do for spaces. It ensures that you will show up and they won't be ridiculed for False advertising.
May God Bless you all in the upcoming busy season.
Thank you,
Josh and Sarah Smith
