Neighborhood Make Believe

Author: Assia Baker

A Southern Illinois tradition continues as WSIU andCedarhurst Center for the Arts invite you and the little ones you love to join us in the Neighborhood of  Make-Believe. 
This free family event will be held on Saturday, April 20th from 12 to 3 pm at Cedarhurst in Mt. Vernon.

Let your curiosity be the guide as you take a closer look to find treasures everywhere. There are many educational activities to choose from in our land of make believe. Enjoy the Salley Mavor fabric art exhibit, Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes.

Salley Mavor’s Wee Folk Studio brings your favorite nursery rhymes to life with felt and found materials from the world of nature. Just in case you want to hear and say more nursery rhymes, join Mother Goose under the tree in the Beck Family Center. Share nature with your children by walking along our nature trail. Experiment with playing PBS KIDS game apps for mobile devices. Bring your smart phone, iPad, or Kindle Fire for downloads. Spy Filo the Fox in the woods.


Need a break? Visit the Performance Hall to relax and watch Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.​


With over eight acres to cover, why not take a Trolley Ride? Enjoy an amazing view of Cedarhurst sculptures and nature. Welcome a breeze from the wind by flying a kite. Create a keepsake book or character mask to take from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe to your own neighborhood. Before leaving make sure to visit with regional sponsors and don’t forget to fill out a survey to enter a drawing. The Neighborhood of Make-Believe is an opportunity to slow down and spend time as a family in a beautiful, awe-inspiring space. A fun filled, free event for families to create memories. Oh, don’t forget your camera!