Washington ready for weekend craft fair

WASHINGTON — Organizers say the 33rd annual craft fair this weekend will host a whopping 117 vendors, more than any year before. While every spot is booked, the Chamber still is adding vendors to the waitlist.

“We’re still taking registrations because some people cancel,” Washington Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator Alisha Davis said. “The majority come from out of town, we have some that come out of state … I think they really love Washington. The people are kind, they love the hospitality. I think the event runs really well and it has for many years.”

The criteria of “craft vendors” is intentionally broad. The day brings in everyone from painters to candle makers to boutique owners to cooks.

It’s no small task to squeeze that many merchants into the square. Davis said it would be a tight fit.

“We filled up three weeks ago, and so I had to come up with new spots, make new booths, it’s pretty exciting,” Davis said. “I’ve had to kind of work some magic. We have put some vendors on the street … and I made some booth spots in some random places. So they might not be on the sidewalk, but they’ll have a booth.”

Davis said it was a popular day to come through Washington’s central park.

“It’s always been really successful, the vendors love coming and we love having it,” she said. “We see all walks of life here. There’s kids, there’s guys, there’s women, there’s everybody you can imagine … a lot of the same vendors keep coming back, and a lot of people look for those vendors every year.”

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 in Washington’s square. In the event of severe weather, the rain date is set for Sept. 17.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com