Thousands attend Cape area craft fairs

A record number of people were purchasing homemade goods this weekend at the area's annual craft fairs.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri hosted events at the Show Me Center and at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. As guests entered they were greeted by members of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at Southeast Missouri State University who volunteered to help collect entrance fees. This marks the 41st year the council has sponsored the event.

Dr. Ann Gifford, the former director of the arts council, said they had many new crafters this year as well as those who always return.

"We have inexpensive booth fees and we hold our vendors to certain criteria that set us apart from different functions. We take pride in expressing how all of the products must be hand made and we have several artists and crafters who have received the Best of Missouri Hands Award, " Gifford said.

She said the event is a great way to get involved in the holiday spirit and she is proud so many local citizens support local artists.

"We love attending these events because you never know what type of creative items you might find," said Whitney Anthony of Advance, Mo. "It makes it better when you know it's made by hand from someone in your own community." Anthony attended the event with her mother, Nancy. She was looking for a hand-made wooden Christmas stocking holder and found one with ease.

 Murielle Wyman, executive director of the arts council, said more than 3,200 people attended the function at the Show Me Center before 11 a.m.

"You won't find any ‘Made in China' stickers here," Wyman said. She said the increase in attendance was mostly because of the amazing quality of the crafts for such a low price and that it was becoming more of a tradition every year for families to purchase homemade gifts for each other for the holidays.  

The owner of the Golden Needle, Sheryl Winschel, organized and hosted Craft Fair Weekend at 347 S. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. This was the first year for the event in its new location.

"In the past, we held the event at Hanover Church but unfortunately they were no longer able to participate. I had vendors contact me wondering where they would be able to display their arts and crafts at and that's when I came up with the idea to keep it going at a new location," Winschel said. For being the first year of the function, she said, she was surprised with the number of vendors and guests in attendance and only expects it to grow in the future.      

This weekend also marks the 16th anniversary for the Crafts, Gifts and Collectibles Show at the Bavarian Halle in Jackson. The vendors displayed things such as woodworking crafts and Nativity scene baskets fashioned by Mary Beth Kreitler of Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Some of the show's vendors came from as far away as Arkansas, like Tim and Tiffany Napier, who own a Christmas retail store called Tis The Season. They had a display of hand-made mesh wreaths and allowed people to purchase the materials to make the wreaths at home using the included instructions.  

For the 36th year the River Valley Craft Club hosted its event at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. They had homemade food and crafts appealing to people of all ages. Santa even came for a visit and offered to take free pictures with children.

Pertinent Address:

347 S. Kingshighway

1625 N. Kingshighway

410 Kiwanis Drive

1333 N. Sprigg St.