Barbara Roden
Free Press
The Winter Arts and Crafts Fair, organized by the 100 Mile House and District Arts Council, returns for two days starting Nov. 20, and co-organizer Barbara Hooper is excited it begins on the same night as the Santa Claus Parade, Moonlight Madness and Starry Nights.
“I’m really happy that it’s taking place with the other events,” she says. “It all brings people into town and they can go from one event to another.”
Hooper says there will be a fantastic variety of goods for sale.
“The vendors come from all over British Columbia and everything has to be handmade.”
There will be everything from jewelry, pottery, and fabric and knit goods to Belgian chocolate, alpaca products, wood and metal art, and glasswork.
Every vendor has donated a product to be given as a door prize, and draws will be made throughout the event. The $2 admission fee gets your name entered into the draw, and the money raised goes to support the Arts Council.
“It’s our major fundraiser of the year."
Hooper says the money is given out in grants to local arts groups, and funds three scholarships for students at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School.
“We are a real advocate of the arts, and try to do anything we can to support them.”
Santa Claus will be there (except during the parade) for picture-taking, and the Front Porch Bluegrass Band will perform at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20. The South Cariboo Rhythmic Gymnastics Team will demonstrate some of their routines at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21.
Thirty sweaters, handmade and donated by Eva Heese, will be for sale, with all funds going to support the 100 Mile House Festival of the Arts and their goal of purchasing a new piano. The Psalm 23 Transition Society is providing a full concession, with proceeds going to the society, Hooper explains.
“It’s a really fun atmosphere. It’s like a big happy family that meets once a year.”
The fair takes place at the 100 Mile House Community Hall from 3 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 20, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 21.
There is still some space for vendors; anyone interested should call Hooper at 250-397-2980.
