The Arts and Crafts Festival

Day 2 - August 3rd, 2007

Hall of Fame Inductees

Retiring artist with 16 years Jean Darland-Joldersma, Goshen, and 34 year veterans Geoffery and Linda Gavere, of Fort White, Florida will be inducted in the Festival’s Hall of Fame along with Nappanee Native Lynn and Beth Frederick of the Knock Knock Hoosier String Band, LaMonte Heflick of LaMonte’s Gray Horse Band, and Dan Barth, from Americana on Tour a historical recreation of 19th century medicine shows.

The following Proclamation naming the Hall of Fame Inductees:

WHEREAS, You have provided the mastery of mastery of your talent at the Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival; and

WHEREAS, You have faithfully brought your talent and entertained three generations of thousands of parents and children; and

WHEREAS, You have cheerfully withstood the heat and rain, thunder and lightening, without missing nary a show; and have upheld the high standards of previous inductees into the Hall of Fame and;

WHEREAS, You have brought untold happiness to all you have touched and been instrumental in bringing national attention to the Arts & Crafts Festival;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Richard L. Pletcher, founder of Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival in Nappanee, Indiana, do hereby induct you into the Arts & Crafts Festival Hall of Fame; and FURTHERMORE, proclaim today, August 3, 2007, as Hall of Fame Day at Amish Acres and urge all patrons to join in this observance by showing appreciation for their dedication, talent, and friendship.

Hall of Fame Inductees Past & Present

First Class of Inductees (2001)

Roger Haas, Frank Greco, Henry Niles, Jo Fields, Steve Johnson, Coy Jankowski, Dick Lehman, Steve Larson, Robert Smoger

2002

Charles Sizemore

2003

Robert (Benny)Lutes, knifemaker – Inducted posthumously and booth G77 retired, Ike Phillips who manned the entrance gate for twenty years

2004

Stephen Gubi – magician – Children’s Entertainment Tent stage named for him; known as the Stephen Gubi Stage

2006

Jane and Elton Hummel – Children’s Entertainment Tent named for them; known as the Hummel Children’s Entertainment Tent

2007

Jean Darland-Joldersma – retiring artist
Geoffery and Linda Gavere – 34 year veteran artist
Lynn and Beth Frederick - Knock, Knock Hoosier String Band
LaMonte Heflick - LaMonte’s Gray Horse Band
Dan Barth - Americana on Tour a historical recreation of 19th century medicine shows

Friday Night, Indiana’s Shortest Parade

With tongue-in-cheek Friday night’s close is celebrated with Indiana’s shortest parade around the pond. It will be led by Mayor Thompson’s 1956 Nappanee Smoky Stover fire engine full of grandkids, followed by a grain wagon load of waving blue ribbon winners, and the NorthWood High School Red Regiment Marching Band, under the new direction of Gordon Couch. It will refreshingly have no queen, dancing girls, marching urchins, motor scooter formations, or politicians, just your winners. Come to the end of the aisles and salute these remarkably talented men and women.