Funky Little Weekend

Local artists are teaming up with small businesses and roadside attractions in Funks Grove, McLean, and Atlanta, traversing historic Route 66 the weekend before Thanksgiving, for two full days of memorable fun, holiday spirit, and one-of-a-kind shopping options.

“Have Yourself A Funky Little Weekend” is spearheaded by artists’ troupe Artists of the Corn, composed of potters, illustrators, painters, fabric artists, jewelers, glass blowers, wood carvers, and more from Central Illinois and the greater Midwest.

When many of their markets were canceled in 2020, Artists of the Corn came together to start hosting their own shows in order to “keep artists arting.” This is their second year of promoting a market in tandem with local shops and roadside attractions—who will all be open within a short drive—for a full weekend of activities, highlighting all that historic Route 66, between Shirley and Atlanta has to offer!

The “Shuckin’ Awesome Holiday Art Market” will be their tenth show together and their fifth at Funk Farms Premium Beef in Shirley, a 15-minute drive from Bloomington-Normal. It will be held November 18th and 19th from 10am-4pm both days, and will feature more than 30 talented local and regional artists, hosted in the beautifully redesigned event space at Funk Farms Premium Beef.

Shoppers are invited to view and purchase stunning works, from paintings and prints to handmade bags and jewelry, textiles, pottery, glassware, candles, and much more. Shoppers will get a chance to meet the creators and hear the story and process behind each unique piece. Food from Funk Farms Premium Beef and Ropp Jersey Cheese will also be available for purchase in the FFPB shop, and the Bloomington Smoking Grill food truck will be on site for lunch and snacks.

This year there are 10 total locations participating, up from just five last year, including local boutiques, artisans, museums, and unique places to play. Locations:

Funk Farms Premium Beef
5959 N.1100 East Rd, Shirley, IL 61772
Open 10am-4pm both days
“Shuckin Awesome Holiday Art Market”

Funks Grove Pure Maple Sirup
5257 Old Route 66, Shirley, IL 61772
Open 10am-5pm Saturday and 1pm-5pm Sunday
Offering lots of samples of baked goods and popcorn, a few new products, and artisan shop favorites like maple ramp seasoning, fruit leather, and johnny cake mix -all made on site- that you can pick up for gifts. Their signature maple sirup is gone for the season, but they do have their bourbon barrel aged sirup! They also carry fun Funks Grove and Route 66 souvenirs

Funks Grove Country Store
8047 E 550 North Rd, McLean, IL 61754
Open 10-3 both days
Showcasing holiday decor, antiques, primitives, and lots more “funky junk” in their shop just off Route 66.

McLean Depot Train Shop
266 Dixie Rd, McLean, IL 61754
Open 10am-5pm, both days
Saturday is Customer Appreciation Day, serving up chili, hot dogs, cake and snacks. As the oldest building in the village of McLean and one of two remaining stations by which the Lincoln Funeral train passed in 1865, it provides an interesting backdrop to modern day travel along Route 66 and perfect venue for the Model Railroad shop inside.

Arcadia: America’s Playable Pinball Museum
107 S Hamilton St, McLean, IL 61754
Pinball Paradise
102 E Morgan St, McLean, IL 61754
Both Open Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 1pm to 8pm
Arcadia gets new games rotated in regularly from our collection of over 1500 games. Right now, our focus is to display the most memorable, entertaining pinballs and videogames from the 80s and 90s. We opened our sister arcade, Pinball Paradise across the street in 2016. Play old school games with the rustling of quarters in your pocket! Change machine on site.

Mt. Hope Township Community Hall & Museum
104 North Clinton St. McLean, IL
Open 11am-3pm both days
Dedicated on December 1, 1917, the Mt. Hope Community Hall was designed by architect A.T. Simmons of Bloomington. The unique building is still in use for special events and houses the Community History Museum, which tells the stories of McLean and its residents.

American Giants Museum
100 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723
Open 10am – 3pm both days
Experience the largest collection of Muffler Men in one place on Route 66! The new American Giants Museum presents the story of International Fiberglass which produced hundreds of animals and human advertising figures in the 1960s. See for yourself how they were made and check out the dozens of original advertising figures on display. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

Arch Street Artisans
103 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723
Open 10am – 4pm Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sunday
Route 66 items, hand-sewn items, vintage items, new fashion items, books, sport memorabilia, Pez

Vicky’s Boutique
108 SW 1st Street, Atlanta, IL 61723
Open both days 10am to 5pm
Shoppers are treated to a cozy shopping experience with Christmas gifts, home decor, clothing and accessories, specialty foods, and a lot more.

See details here for each location, as well as an interactive map and information on past shows. Enjoy a “funky little weekend” in the grove and get in the holiday spirit with wonderful local artists and businesses!