Saturday, August 19, 2023
Depart from 101 S. Maple Street (Dietrich Friedrichs House Museum) at 9 a.m.
Return at 5 p.m.
Join us on a bus trip to the Eighth Annual U.S. National Straw Sculpting Competition, also known as “Strawfest,” in Mt. Morris. It is promoted as “Fine Art in Straw” and was inspired by former Arlington Heights resident/artist Fran Volz who now lives nearby in Rockford.
Participants will ride a luxury coach, leaving Mount Prospect at 9 a.m. After arriving in Mt. Morris, tour-goers will have plenty of time to enjoy the large, unique straw sculptures, arranged around the picturesque town square only two weeks each year; vote for their favorites; and then tour the Encore! Mt. Morris Old Sandstone Art Gallery which is filled with local artwork.
After perusing the artwork and straw sculptures, bus tour participants will enjoy boxed lunches from Jen’s Artisan Breads, in the air-conditioned Pinecrest Grove Auditorium.
Fran Volz, the one who inspired this contest, will speak during lunch about his first exposure to straw sculptures during a trip to Germany; his fondly-remembered “Chicago Snow Competition” event which premiered at Randhurst Shopping Center in 2004 and then moved to Navy Pier where teams of artists from Spain, China, Germany, Canada and Russia competed; and his other well-known artistic endeavors while living in the Northwest Suburbs. Many recall his gorgeous snow sculptures entertaining drivers along Arlington Heights Road each winter.
Following lunch, Jeff Bold, steering committee chairman of “Encore! Mt. Morris” which is working to revitalize the community, will board the bus for a guided tour of local points of interest including White Pines Forest State Park with its rare, picturesque grove of native white pine trees, and “The Eternal Indian” or “Blackhawk” statue along the river in nearby Oregon, IL which has recently been restored. It is a local landmark by famed sculptor Laredo Taft. Stops for locally-produced maple syrup and locally-grown corn-on-the-cob might also be possible if tour-goers are interested.
Comfortable clothing and shoes are strongly urged.
MPHS Member Cost: $80
Non-Member Cost: $90
Lunch Options:
- Chicken salad sandwich
- Pesto and salami sandwich
- Veggie sandwich on multi-grain bread
All lunch options include coleslaw, chips, water and dessert.
Trip highlights:
- Marvel at the straw art at the U.S. National Straw Sculpting contest
- Tour the Encore! Mt. Morris Old Sandstone Art Gallery, housed in the oldest building in Mt. Morris
- Enjoy a pre-ordered boxed lunch, provided by Jen’s Artisan Breads, with an exclusive presentation by Fran Volz
- Guided bus tour of local sites, including White Pine Forest State Park and the Blackhawk Statue in Oregon, IL
Registration is now closed.