News Release

                                    Date: December 30, 2009        Contact: RichMinster            Carlinville Christmas          

Market Foundation          217-854-6663

State of Illinois proclamation honors Carlinville Christmas Market

CARLINVILLE, ILL. -- In honor of the Carlinville Christmas Market’s 20th anniversary held December 4-6, the Illinois Senate of the 96th General Assembly issued a proclamation recognizing and celebrating the festival’s “two decades of economic opportunities in the community, 1990-2009.”

The proclamation further states that the Illinois Senate “extends its congratulations to [the Christmas Market’s] Board of Directors, participating vendors, thousands of visitors and the entire community on this occasion and best wishes for continued success in the future.”

Illinois State Senator Deanna Demuzio presented the proclamation to Christmas Market leader Debbie Zilm during a ribbon-cutting ceremony that opened the 2009 festival on Friday, December 4, 2009.  Sen. Demuzio sponsored and signed the document, which was also signed by Senate President John J. Cullerton and Secretary of the Senate Jillayne Rock.

“This was quite an honor for Carlinville,” said Zilm, who is president of the Carlinville Christmas Market Foundation, which produces the annual festival.  “We know that Senator Demuzio is a strong supporter of the Market, but we didn’t know that she was taking our 20th anniversary celebration to the capital with her.  We owe her and the entire general assembly a big thank-you for acknowledging our celebration and our success over the last 20 years.

“The Christmas Market earned Carlinville a Governor’s Hometown Award for volunteerism in 2007, which made us very proud.  And now we receive this 2009 proclamation for our efforts.  It’s wonderful.  It’s gratifying to know that the State of Illinois recognizes and supports our efforts to bring fun, attention, and financial growth to the Central Illinois region.”

The Carlinville Christmas Market Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to planning, organizing, and producing the festival on the first full weekend of December.  For more information about the Christmas Market – including its history, a downloadable brochure, corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities, a look at the 2009 festival, and exhibitor information – visit its web site at www.CarlinvilleChristmasMarket.com. 

The 2010 Christmas Market festival will take place on December 3, 4, and 5 on Carlinville’s historic town square.  Prospective exhibitors are welcome to apply for booth space at any time.