A number of vendors from around the area and other British Columbia communities will soon be descending on the 100 Mile Community Hall for the 36th Annual Winter Arts and Crafts Fair to sell a variety of items, goods and wears.
The event, a fundraiser for the 100 Mile & District Arts Council, is running an extra day this year – three as oppose to the usual two – from Nov. 8 to 10.
Because of ongoing gym renovations at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School, the local arts council decided to use the community hall on Birch Avenue, which is a smaller space, and the number of vendors is down this year from close to 60 to 31.
Barb Hooper, 100 Mile & District Arts Council vice-president, says the arts and crafts will nevertheless be of great quality.
“It's all handmade, all by the people who sell it,” Hooper says, adding it's a good time to start shopping for the holidays.
“People will often come to this and find Christmas presents for a good price.”
Organizers are making final preparations and are in the process of booking live entertainment.
Original art, books, glass art, pottery, wood work, fabric crafts, jewelry, paper art, fibre art, clothing, Christmas decorations, chocolates, paintings, quilting and food products will all be available at the fair.
Admission is $2 and children under 12 get in free.
The Winter Arts and Crafts Fair is known to draw approximately 1,000 visitors.
The 100 Mile & District Arts Council is an umbrella organization that promotes and helps raise money for different arts and cultural groups in the community.
Hooper says anyone can produce art in one form or another.
“We should all be creating and doing art. Whether it's music, drama, theatre, carving, painting or fabric work, sewing work, or cooking – something where you feel the creative energies moving through you.
“Art is important for your mental, emotional and physical health, and it makes you feel good about yourself. And it's fun.”
The fair goes from 4 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 8; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 9.; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 10.
The idea of the Winter Arts and Craft Fair is twofold, explains Hooper.
“We make money so we can give it to our member groups, plus we're supporting local artists.”
