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   Once again, Longville proved that we show up for art, food, and family fun!

The Turtle Town Art Fair exhibitors and food vendors loved the public turn-out on Saturday, June 29. The community enjoyed a wide variety of creativity along with lunch, munch, and take-home food options. Kids scooped up more than 120 free take-and-make “Turtle Art Kits” in a matter of hours.

Kids scooped up more than 120 free “take and make” turtle art kits from the Longville Area Women of Today at the Turtle Town Art Fair on Saturday, June 29. Pictured are turtles made later at Grandma’s by Tanner & Avery R., both age 5. Photo submitted.

   It truly takes a village and many community members to keep this annual event alive. Salem Lutheran Church provides a perfect setting. The Salem Ladies’ wandering wagon of cinnamon rolls and coffee is most welcome at dawn. The Longville Fire Department mowed and opened their nearby field to provide safe public parking. The St. Edward’s Church Ladies drew people in for those famous pies that sold out early. Local musician Cullen Brown treated shoppers to live music. And businesses and resorts in Longville, Hackensack, Remer, Walker & Pine River helped bring a crowd to town by allowing roadway signs and posters. 

   Preliminary counts indicate that more than 1300 people attended. The Longville Area Women of Today (LAWOT) organization has hosted the Turtle Town Art Fair for more than 10 years after its 2002 founders passed the baton. This year was a year of transition regarding artistic variety, booth arrangement, parking changes and food options. We appreciate and thank the vendors and the overwhelming public support for this event. All LAWOT proceeds from this event are donated back to local community causes. 

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