Thousands Flock to Arlington Park for Holiday Shopping

Thousands of people will gather at over the weekend – not to watch the thoroughbreds run – but to finish their holiday shopping and benefit a worthy cause, all at the same time.

The at Arlington Park is taking place this weekend, with a portion of the proceeds going to , a Libertyville non-profit organization serving adults with developmental disabilities.

Jackie Rachev, Lambs Farm communications coordinator, says this is the Fair's 30th year and the second time it's held at the Arlington Park location. Tower Show Productions produces the craft show and Lambs Farm receives a portion of the entrance fee, coat check and booth space at the fair's entrance.

The Gift & Craft Fair features more than 325 vendors from 20 states selling their wares. More than 15,000 visitors are expected over the show's three-day run.

A highlight of the Gift & Craft Fair will be the extensive Lambs Farm display, located at the show's entrance. Rachev said the Lambs booths feature ready-to-give gifts, as well as grab-and-go snack items to eat on the run.  All proceeds from product sales benefit programs at Lambs Farm.

At the Satori Fire Glass booth (268), shoppers can delight in the work of jewelry designer Stephanie Tantillo, who handcrafts fused dichroic glass and silver into elegant and unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and more.

Shoppers in search of holiday décor and personalized holiday ornaments will want to check out Trimmers By Mary Ann at booths 414 and 415. Every ornament in the collection is painstakingly designed, painted and assembled in the artist's loft studio in her home. These original, wooden handmade Christmas tree ornaments may be personalized on-site.

Brighten up the holidays with a visit to Night Light Designs (booth 301). These decorative night lights are created by taking photos or illustrations and placing them in a specially designed photo insert, which is illuminated by the night light bulb. 

Night lights are available with pre-designed art and photos, or customers can custom order the lights using their own photos, slides or digital images. There's even a Glowtastic U-Draw Night Light Art Kit that allows artists to design their own night light art using special paper.

2010 Lambs Farm Holiday Lights Gift & Craft Fair

• When: Dec. 4, 9 am - 7 pm/ Dec. 5, 10 am - 5 pm
• Where: Arlington Park Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 
• Price: Adults $7, Children (under age 15):  Free
• Parking:  $6

Fair visitors can receive $1 off show admission by visiting www.holidaylightslambsfarm.com and clicking on the CyberDollar link, located on the bottom right of the page.