LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — Round the Fountain Art Fair coordinators were forced to pull the plug on Saturday’s event.
This was due to reports from the Tippecanoe Emergency Management Agency of severe weather coming later in the afternoon. It was projected that winds of 55 mph and hail were heading toward Tippecanoe County during the event's hours.
This year marked the 46th annual art fair and also the first time it has been canceled. Event leaders say one year they had to move the event into the Courthouse due to extreme weather but they’ve never canceled.
The art fair serves as a fundraiser to keep the arts in local high schools. It's also a platform for artists from across the nation to come and sell their work.
Despite having to shut down, Round the Fountain Vice President Jim Bodenmiller said they're still grateful for this year’s turnout.
“We're so grateful for all of the people that showed up earlier this morning, beautiful weather and all of this support that we get from our community and their contributions in supporting the art fair,” said Bodenmiller.
Artist Tom Yano of Cleveland has participated in Round the Fountain Art Fair for 20 years. He said this art show has been good to him through the years.
“I do about 20 of these, 20 shows a year between Boston, Chicago, and D.C.,” said Yano. “95% of my income is generated through events like this so I'm very appreciative of a profitable well run show.”
Yano like many other artists isn’t letting bad weather stop them from coming back next year.
Round the Fountain leaders will not be rescheduling this year’s art fair. Planning for next year's art fair will begin this fall.
