Fair brings an artsy flair to Millerton

MILLERTON — The second annual Millerton Artisan Fair was held on the lawn of the Simmons’ Way Village Inn on Saturday, Aug. 20.Twenty-four local artisans displayed their wares and talents for the hundreds of patrons who milled through the fair, enjoying a refreshing stretch of sunny summer weather.“We’re so happy to have this weather,” said Pat Ackerman, who co-chairs the event with Kathy Shapiro. They both also participated in the fair as vendors.Mary Ellen Durkin of Dover Plains, who happened upon the event by chance, said, “I’m enjoying the day. The art is fantastic.”“There’s a nice variety of crafts this year,” said Diane Sykes, who is visiting from Florida.Her daughter, Leslie Sykes-O’Neill, an artisan in the fair, agreed. “I’m impressed with the quality of work,” she said.Sykes-O’Neill said that the people browsing the work included a healthy number of shoppers in their midst. Several other artisans agreed that the day’s sales had been successful.“It’s been great. There are so many people walking around,” said Shapiro, who said that she had seen a wide variety of locals, day-trippers and vacationers enjoying the craft fair.Besides selling their work, the artisans were able to gain some local exposure for their work and mingle with members of the community.“It’s nice to be at a local venue for a change,” said Shaari Horowitz, one of the vendors.“Its important for local artists to have a venue to be seen, to get the word out and to network with other artists,” said Ackerman.Ackerman and Shapiro both noted that they hope for the event to grow into something larger in the coming years, possibly something as large as an official Millerton Day.They don’t think they are too far off.Already the event is drawing more people to the town, which also helps local businesses, said Ackerman, who noted that this year’s fair was more than twice as big as last year’s.The event is also acting as a benefit for a local organization, the North East Community Center, or NECC, as it is commonly called.The vendor fees and the proceeds raised from the sale of raffle tickets were donated to the community center.“We look forward to growing this event next year,” said Ackerman.Both Ackerman and Shapiro expressed their gratitude toward the owners of the Simmons’ Way Village Inn, Jay and Marty Reynolds, who donated the use of their lawn for the fair.

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