The event takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 4 and 5. This year, the fair includes the creation of two community banners to be painted throughout the weekend, facilitated by artist Mary Hill.
During the fair, more than 100 juried artisans will sell handmade items ranging from decorative to functional -- clothing, furniture, baskets, jewelry, pottery and more. In addition to crafters, the fair features refreshments and entertainment.
Craft fair manager Laura Arnesen said many craft fair visitors may not know how far in advance many crafters signed up for the show or the fact that one of the food vendors is an experienced financial planner (think lemonade). Another food vendor uses their profits to build schools in Africa and Jamaica.
Additionally, craft fair presenter The Valley Players is showcasing three area nonprofits this year: Rotary (selling duck tickets culminating in the Duck Race on the river behind Kenyon's at 3 p.m. on Sunday), The Festival of the Arts (selling raffle tickets for a Victorian dollhouse) and the People's Health and Wellness Clinic of Barre, a nonprofit that provides care for uninsured and underinsured patients.
Additionally, she said, many local businesses donate services and goods for the fair: Three Mountain Cafe (donating coffee to the artisans), Kingsbury Construction (lending fencing) and Casella Waste Management (donating trash removal).
This year the food court will include a wide variety of items including Samosaman, entrepreneur Fuad Ndibalema, who will bring his vegetarian and meat samosas. Born in Africa and then seeking refuge in the U.S., Ndibalema landed in Vermont and participated in a 12-week Community Kitchen training program. That is where he transformed his family recipe into a business. Another ethnic food vendor new to the fair this year is Hot Tamale, authentic Mexican cuisine by Cheryl McCabe, to include tamales, tacos, burritos and a variety of homemade salsas.
Juniper's Fare will offer their chicken club sandwiches and hand-cut French fries as well as vegetarian options, wraps and homemade baked goods. The Slide Sisters will be offering pork and chicken sliders, coleslaw and fruit smoothies. Other food vendors include Mr. Rick's offering hot dogs, hamburgers, French Fries and much more, the Masons will offer grilled cheese sandwiches and fried dough and Tyler's Concessions is selling lemonade and other fresh drinks.
For kids there will be a bounce house (adult supervision is required), face painting and the opportunity to contribute to the community art project by adding to the banners. Entertainment will be provided on Saturday by the 15-piece Green Mountain Swing Band. On Sunday, Johnny Reid and Friends, a folk/blues trio featuring Colleen Mari on vocals, Johnny Reid on harmonica and vocals and Jimmy Goodwin on guitar and vocals, will perform.
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