Farm-to-table event draws large crowd

DU QUOIN - Downtown Du Quoin took the form of a banquet hall Thursday at the Second Annual Farm-to-Table social gathering and dinner. A portion of East Main Street was cordoned off from traffic so that dinner tables could extend from Croessman Square into the thoroughfare.

Du Quoin Chamber of Commerce Director Stacy Hirsch said that all 160 tickets were sold at $30 apiece. Proceeds covered expenses from the meal and go into the Chamber's general operating account, which involves the promotion of the city.

"I thought things went very well," Hirsch said. "We learned a lot from our first event last year and things ran even smoother this time around. It's not that we changed all that much. We just did things better. I expect that we will do an even better job next year. It is also our hope to sell even more tickets next year."

Mayor Guy Alongi was pleased with the turnout. "What a great event for our community," he said. "I hope it continues and expands in the coming years. All the volunteer work is appreciated and shows how proud people feel about Du Quoin. IT's great to show the beauty of our town and Main Street."

Local farmers provided the food and local restaurants prepared the meals.

Marshall Browning Hospital and the Perry County Farm Bureau were the lead sponsors of the event.

A social hour preceded the meal as residents had the opportunity to make new friends or renew old acquaintances.