Trade Fair returns with arts, crafts


 

FALLS VILLAGE — The annual trade fair sponsored by the Tri State Chamber of Commerce returns this Sunday, March 30, with a slight difference. Although it is the 16th year for the event, this is the first year it’s being presented as The Annual Festival of Trades, Arts and Crafts.

"We wanted to open it to a larger variety of people," explained Rachel Call, the chamber’s executive director, of the decision to try and include more artists and artisans.

The fair will be held, as always, in the gym and cafeteria at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no fee to attend.

This year’s roster of participants includes contractors, nonprofit agencies, health-care agencies and area businesses — as well as a jewelry maker, a Mary Kay cosmetics representative and a sponsor of Northern Lights home parties.

Home "redesigner" Judy Albright will have a dollhouse on hand and will demonstrate ways to adapt a home and its existing furnishings to suit new situations, such as downsizing and "elder moves" — or just to get a new look. Bring photos of your own home to get tips on ways to remake your home without necessarily starting from scratch.

The goal of the annual festival is to give business owners and potential (or existing) clients a chance to meet in a friendly, low-pressure environment. But for many Northwest Corner residents, the fair also offers a chance to celebrate the end of winter (though of course it has been known to snow on the day of the fair), and to get out, see some friends and, naturally, collect giveaways such as yardsticks, keychains and candy (lots and lots of candy).

Live entertainment options this year include the band Nightcaps, which will play throughout the day; and high school student Billy Bunce, who will start the day with an acoustic set at around 10 a.m.

Entertainment for children will be provided in the cafeteria by the YMCA of North Canaan. There will also be child care (voluntary donations will be accepted) provided by Aha!, the after-school program at North Canaan Elementary School.

Children always enjoy wandering around the gym and collecting jelly beans and chocolate at the booths. They can also stop off at the Sharon Audubon Center booth and visit the birds.

The Tri-State Chamber will have a popcorn machine in operation, but more substantial fare will be offered in the cafeteria. Habitat for Humanity will sell sandwiches (and will have a model house out on the school’s front lawn), the high school’s FFA program will sell hot dogs, chili, ziti and beverages, and Mountainside will sell soup. The North Canaan Elementary School PTO will hold a bake sale.

The chamber will also hold raffles throughout the day.

"We have tickets for TriArts in Sharon, movie passes for the Millerton Moviehouse and the Cineroms in Torrington and Winsted, an overnight stay at the Wake Robin Inn, a handblown glass ornament from Gilmor Glass in Millerton and a number of gift certificates," Call said. "There will be a little bit of everything at this year’s festival."

 

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