Mapping the Future of Manito Period of Oct. 1, 2014-Dec. 31, 2014 Where in the world is Manito? Manito, a small farming community located on the Illinois River Road between Peoria and Havana, is near Illinois’s largest Fish Hatchery, the Weaver Popcorn Company, and the 7000 acre Sand Ridge State Forest. The town has a classic car museum, local winery, and unique shops including a custom jewelry store, primitive Rustic Roost, Egypt Station with all types of art genre, and a yoga & massage Center. So, how do we get the word out with no major highway going through the area? A three fold event was held on Saturday, October 18th that provided exposure coupled with fun and fitness. • The Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery hosted a 5K and 10K Volkswalk, providing walks amid Sand Ridge State Forest’s stunning Fall foliage. Information packets including Weaver popcorn were given to each participant. Tours of the Hatchery’s outstanding exhibits were given with more than 100 registered. All ages were represented and walkers came from as far as Laurenceville, Georgia and Silver City, New Mexico. • Meanwhile, Manito provided activities throughout the day, including an Autumn Art Bazaar displaying various types of art, German music by the Kaiser Wilhelm Ratskellar Brummers Band along with German brats and beer in tribute to the Volkswalk that had its origin in Germany. The Classic Car Museum was open where one could see exhibits that included a replica of Lindbergh’s plane autographed by his grandson. A local high school teacher organized Midwest Central students to do reenactments of local history in the oldest town cemetery, the old school, and the old jail. Transportation to the various sites was the “Manito Metro”, a long trailer with another history teacher aboard narrating local stories. • “Don’t Be Scared to Crow About Manito” was the theme for a People’s Choice Scarecrow Contest throughout the village. More than 30 very clever scarecrows of all types were created and visitors were encouraged to vote on their favorite that day. Included were “A Dancing Diva” from the yoga center and the Bank’s “Mr. Big Bucks” a buck deer dressed in a jacket full of dollar bills. One winner was from the Middle School entitled “Head Over Heels for Learning” with three scarecrow kids, one standing on his head. The above event took many months of planning with 100+ people helping with various chores. Money to finance the event came from the Manito Area Chamber of Commerce, the Connie Gilroy Memorial Fund from the Forman Valley Foundation, Mapping Council, and individual donations. Publicity explaining the activities included TV interviews on WEEK/WHOI and WMBD, a float by the 4-H Club for the Popcorn Festival Parade, talks at the Rotary Club, Bank coffee hour, and Central Il. Economic Development Committee, articles in local newspapers including Peoria’s Red Letter Dates, on Facebook, banners in larger traffic areas, various Illinois Hiking Clubs, and Bradley’s Continuing Education newsletter. Websites included Illinois River Road’s Calendar of Events, Peoria Convention Center, and of course the Volkswalk Association. Placemats with the information were designed and placed in area restaurants and info was included on the digital sign at the entrance to Manito. Please check villageofmanito for pictures.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 23:28:24 +0000
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