Carolyn Martin organizes this once a year event. Dealers from Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Georgia fill Otto Center with genuine American country primitives. Known as the best country antique show held in downstate Illinois, expect to find quality primitives offered for sale by professional dealers who specialize in early American country primitives.
"a Gathering on the Prairie" is held annually in Arthur, Illinois. Arthur is known as the "heart" of Illinois Amish Country with approximately 4,500 Old Order Amish living in the surrounding area. Though farmers by tradition, the Amish now operate businesses including woodworking, quilts and crafts, grocery and produce stores, meat markets and restaurants. Otto Center was built on the site of Otto School, one of the oldest country schools in the area. Through a community effort funds were obtained and Amish and Mennonite volunteers built Otto Center.
Doris Yoder, owner of "from the Kitchen of Doris Yoder" is in charge of all food sales. She is a professional caterer and will offer breakfast items, a lunch menu and Amish made pastries, candy and specialties for sale during the event.
"On March 3, one day only, is my favorite primitives show. "A Gathering on the Prairie" will hold its fourth show in Arthur at the Otto Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The admission is $3.00 and Doris Yoder will bring her food skills to the event, as she has in the past. Three dozen hand-picked dealers from seven states will show and sell their wares at this event. Early American furniture, kitchen antiques, early lighting, textiles, stoneware, tinware, baskets, woodenware and folk art are some of the items that will be for sale. We have been to all three shows and bought something at every one. Carolyn Martin and her husband, Sam, really put in a lot of work and effort to bring this show together. If you need more information call Carolyn at the Arcola Antique Mall at 217-268-4300."
"Prairie Gathering about all things primitive...including love for Americana Over 1,100 attended the Gathering on the Prairie antique show and sale featuring 32 booths at the Otto Center in Arthur March 3. With the smell of hot Amish-made cinnamon rolls and bread in the building, many were torn between breakfast and shopping. "I'd weigh 400 pounds if I could eat this wonderful Amish food all the time," laughed one dealer.
"It's awesome!" Another visitor talked about staying overnight in a motel just to have more time driving around the farms. He liked Arcola, Arthur and Tuscola's shops. As one man clutched his rocking chair purchase he said, "I'm going to hold it and love it!" Because the antique dealers come from different states, everyone was sharing different stories about America's primitive antiques.
Pottery,wooden bowls, rolling pins, sugar buckets and chests were all colors and sizes. Quilts seemed to decorate many corners. Some items were puzzles that needed a story to explain. Martin insists that dealers use fresh flowers in their antique booths and only genuine Americana country primitives.
By holding very high standards at the Gathering on the Prairie event, Martin hopes to bring more tourists and buyers to the region. and of course, all of the surrounding towns benefit when that happens."
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