Washington’s 30th annual craft show to set up in the square Sept. 7

WASHINGTON - Central Park will soon be flooded with more than 90 vendors as the town prepares for the 30th annual craft show on Saturday, Sept. 7.

From 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. vendors will set up around the square selling everything from solar lights to fall signs to food. Last year, the event had about 50 vendors and an additional 40 have been added this year.

Alisha Davis, Event Coordinator for the Washington Chamber of Commerce, said the uptick in vendors means more variety of items such as jewelry, clothing and homemade crafts and home decor as well. Vendors are mainly from Iowa, she said, but do come from all over the tri-state area.

The amount of vendors says a lot about the City of Washington, she said, because it shows the town is willing to engage in and showcase their local makers.

'I think it says a lot about how much of an emphasis we put on people like entrepreneurs and people doing their own business,” she said. 'We have a really, really good turnout every year for this event and everyone loves how well put together it is and it's one of those things that's been going on for so many years and continues to prosper and do well.”

Thousands come for the event every year, she said and this year a craft workshop will take place on the bandstand at 10 a.m. hosted by Re-Purpose It where participants will create fall signs for their home, and CBI Bank and Trust will pass out complimentary rolls and juice to craft show goers from 9/11 a.m.

Although craft fairs happen all over the state, she would encourage people to come out and see what Washington's has to offer because each show brings in new vendors and a chance to engage with new people and see new products.

'I think every place has different vendors and different food trucks and just to come in and experience our downtown and where it's located, is unique in itself that we have that many people coming to the heart of our town just for one day,” she said.

Vendors are still eligible to sign up for the event until Tuesday, Sept. 3. Anyone with questions or wishing to register may do so online or contact Davis at: alisha@washingtoniowa.org.