Arts Festival Fills Simpson Park
By Amanda McKay, Constitution-Tribune, September 13, 2010

CAPTION: Sunny skies and over 130 booths cultivated a good attendance Saturday and Sunday at the 26th annual Chautauqua in the Park, sponsored by Hedrick Medical Center. The two-day event included fun for the kids as well as adults with live entertainment, crafts and traditional arts.

C-T Photos/Amanda McKay

The 26th Annual Chautauqua in the Park, sponsored by Hedrick Medical Center, drew thousands of people to Chillicothe for two days (September 11 and 12) of entertainment and crafts on a beautiful weekend.

The annual Chautauqua was held at Simpson Park and organizers say they were very pleased not only with the weather, but also the attendance. "We appreciate all of our volunteers that help put this together," said Lindy Chapman, director of the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce. "We couldn't do it without them."

Chapman was also very pleased with the turnout of viewers and vendors at this year's Chautauqua. She also stated that the beautiful weather contributed greatly to an amazing show.

As part of the Chautauqua, three vendors received awards including Fusions, owned by Elaina and Jerry Murphy, of Beaufort, S.C., who won Best in Show (see below). They received a certificate from the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and a $200 cash award.

'Glowing' Award Presented to Fusion
Candle holders awarded Best in Show
By Amanda McKay, Constitution-Tribune, September 13, 2010

The fusion of wax and plastic, combined with other natural products, combined to make this year's Best in Show at the 26th Annual Chautauqua in the Park.

Fusions are candescent hurricane candle holders that do not melt in the heat and are semi-translucent in the sunlight or under a lamp. A votive is placed in the center in a small pool of water to make the holders glow. Jerry Murphy of Beaufort, S.C., "invented" the formula for the luminaries 15 years ago. He and his wife Elaina now travel 32 weeks a year to craft shows to share their unique art, this being their first year at Chautauqua.

Each piece has a melting point of 185 degrees making them nearly impossible to melt, yet still has the feel of a candle. During the day, the sun makes the Fusions glow and the small votive makes each image glow at night.

The couple have seven more shows to do before Christmas this year.

C-T Photo/Amanda McKay