Celina-Mercer County Chamber Highlights Fair Finale, Farmers Market and Upcoming September Events

The Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting several upcoming community events as the Mercer County Fair enters its final days and local organizations prepare for a busy September.

The Mercer County Fair wraps up Wednesday, August 19. Among the final-day attractions will be the annual Bear Hollow Wood Carvers Auction at 8 p.m., with proceeds from auctioned carvings benefiting local families and organizations.

The Celina Farmers Market returns Saturday at the Mercer County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to noon. Vendors will offer homemade, home-produced and homegrown products, along with a children’s craft led by the Grand Lake Area Literature Festival and live acoustic music from Bun Tuttle.

The Celina-Mercer County Combined Services Appeal will hold its community open house and annual kickoff drive Saturday, September 5 at 9 a.m. at the PBS Building on the Mercer County Fairgrounds. The event will give residents an opportunity to learn more about member organizations and how donations to the Combined Services Appeal are used locally.

The Lake Area Arts Group is preparing for its annual Plein Air at the Grand competition September 11 and 12. The two-day event is designed to showcase the scenery around Grand Lake while bringing artists together for social activities, a quick-paint competition, a reception and public art sale.

Participation is limited to 50 artists, with more than $1,500 in prizes available. Awards will be presented in professional and emerging artist categories.

Also September 11 through 13, Grand Lake St. Marys State Park will host its annual Fall Fest. The event is open to the public and will feature activities centered around the fall season.

The Chamber is also reminding drivers that local students will soon be returning to school. Motorists are encouraged to watch for children walking or riding bicycles and to use extra caution around school buses as students are picked up and dropped off.

Additional information on upcoming community events is available through the Celina-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page and at CelinaMercer.com.