Heritage Festival of crafts, food at SIC this weekend

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Handmade goods of all types are available this weekend at Southeastern Illinois College's 31st Annual Heritage Festival.

Arts, crafts, baked goods, honey products, doll clothing, woodworking and pottery will be among the booths lining the halls and filling the gym of the campus. The festival runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

"For the vendors it's a part of their livelihood, part of the Christmas money they spend on their families. And for other people it's a chance to buy Christmas items early, handmade products, and it's a chance to get out to a festival on a beautiful fall afternoon," organizer Donna Hearn said.

There will be over 100 vendors this year, Hearn said.

Patrice Heiken is bringing back the Heiken Puppet show, performing "Goldilocks and the Three Bears Christmas" with performances 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday in the B-building conference center as part of the college's Cultural Arts Series. The show is underwritten by Julie and Mike Stewart.

Sunday's entertainment is provided by the Mountain Laurels, a gospel and bluegrass trio of Debbie Porter, Ruth Thomas and Beverly Beers of Galatia performing in the student center 2 p.m. Sunday.

-- DeNeal receives e-mail at bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.