All Washed Up showcases driftwood artwork in Vermilion’s Exchange Park

Main Street Vermilion hosted the annual All Washed Up event in Exchange Park, on the corner of Liberty Avenue and Main Street July 12 in Vermilion.

The annual art contest showcases original pieces made from driftwood for guests to browse and vote on in different categories, according to Kate Repola, executive director of Main Street Vermilion.

Over 30 different pieces were entered into categories including professional, adult, teen and child and guests had the chance to vote on their favorites, she said.

“It’s a beautiful day to be in downtown Vermilion,” Repola said.

“People love to walk on the beach for beach glass and driftwood, and this is just the perfect opportunity for people to use their creativity.”

According to Repola, artwork is judged by a professional who hands out awards to the first- and second-place holders.

Additional awards are handed out in each category for the People’s Choice Award as well, she said.

“The most fun category is the People’s Choice Award – they choose a winner throughout all the different categories,” said Repola.

Repola said residents from Vermilion and other places entered art into the contest, most of which featured some element of nautical life or water.

Many artists and vendors were on site displaying their artwork for sale and guests had the chance to make and take their own crafts, she said.

The Dig It Up activity for children also returned to All Washed Up where children could seek for buried treasure in sandboxes provided, according to Repola.

Guests also had the chance to enter into a chance to win a variety of raffle baskets in order to further support Main Street Vermilion.

“Every year it gets a little bit bigger,” Repola said.

“I just think it has a real community feel to it – people are chatting, people see their neighbors and friends.”

The event not only helps pay homage to Vermilion’s history and historical preservation, but promotes the downtown district by bringing a free event to guests to expose them to all the city has to offer, Repola said.

The event space brought a friendly feel and large crowd, as Market in the Park and Vettemilion took place simultaneously in downtown Vermilion as well, she said.

“To me, it’s like the perfect Main Street Vermilion event,” said Repola.

“It kind of hits all of our missions in a really good way.”

Visit mainstreetvermilion.org or call 440-963-0772 for more information.