Craft fair draws hundreds to Washington Central Park

A brisk wind wreaked havoc with some displays at the craft fair at Washington’s Central Park Saturday, but that did not seem to deter shoppers who flocked to the show, the first held by the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce in spring.

The show has been held for years in the fall. With other craft fairs throughout the region canceled, the Chamber decided to try one in spring.

It was a success.

“We just decided to do it in spring, too,” said Chamber event coordinator Alisha Davis. “There seemed to be a need.”

Lucas and Stacey Remley drove from Memphis, Mo., with their collection of metal yard art.

They have been coming to the fall fair for 20 years.

“We always do very well here,” Stacey said.

If the Remleys were the old-timers, Lexa Jo Mahr was the newbie. This was her first show. The Lincoln Elementary School fourth-grade teacher decided to try it “because it was local.”

She has been selling baby bows, T-shirts, bell bottoms and bummies on her Facebook page, Lexa Jo Clothing Co.

She got into it at the urging of friends. Her college friends were having babies, and she would make things for them as gifts. The quality was so good, her friends said she should try selling them.

Her booth at the fair was “a trial run to see how it goes.”’

Kids had a chance to make Mother’s Day plaques for their moms thanks to Repurpose It, which helped the kids apply stencils to wooden plaques and then dab paint on them.

Aspen Rose, 3, made a plaque for her mom that said “Love You.” It was decorated with a rose.

At noon, Jaz It Up, The Village and Earthly Blessings held a fashion show featuring mothers and daughters modeling spring trends.

For those who plan ahead, the 32nd annual fall craft fair will be held Sept. 11.