Crafts in the Park host new, old, and unique vendors

MT. PLEASANT — The annual craft fair on the square was a hit during the 2022 Old Threshers Reunion, and seems to have regained the popularity of years prior to the pandemic.

“We have had great attendance at the 2022 Crafts in the Park,” Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Alliance Director of Membership Delaney Van Ness said. “We are lucky to have such great vendors and can’t wait to see where the show goes in the future.”

The show runs the Thursday through Sunday of the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion.

This year the Chamber was excited to offer a weekend only option for vendors instead of having to commit to the whole show.

“It brought out folks who have full-time jobs on top of this and who wouldn’t have been able to be here otherwise,” Van Ness said.

New, old, and unusual vendors filled the square.

“Everything’s a little bit unique here,” Van Ness said.

One unique veteran vendor is commonly referred to as the “Emu Lady.”

Patty Constans began this business with her late husband over 40 years ago and continues to attend craft fairs all over the United States selling Emu Oil.

Constans Emu farm is located in Nevis, Minnesota, but she has made the trek to Mt. Pleasant for Old Threshers week for the past 15 years.

“People are very friendly and willing to try stuff,” Cosntans said. “For me [Mt. Pleasant Crafts in the Park] is a good craft fair.”

Multiple people stopped daily at the craft fair information booth to ask where to find the Emu lady, and they all ought to be glad to know she has already preregistered for next year’s fair.

New vendors also graced the craft fair this year.

Btown Vintage set up right next to the fountain in the center of the square.

According to owner Chelsea Stevens, she planned on coming to the craft fair well in advance due to anticipated construction in front of her Burlington shop.

Stevens and her son Gavin even prepared a candy bike to keep some products mobile during the construction, but they were certainly happy to be in Mt. Pleasant at Crafts in the Park.

“It is fun!” she said. “Everyone is just happy.”

Btown Vintage has a variety of products, but Chelsea wanted to ensure that she had products geared toward children at the craft fair.

“I wanted to make sure we had plenty of options under like $10 that parents could just grab for the their kids and then keep shopping,” she said.

Even as a new Vendor, Stevens signed up for the whole event instead of just the weekend slot.

“I would do the whole thing again every time because it’s a good turn out every day,” Stevens said.

Many home décor vendors, a few food vendors, and even some faith-based tents were set up throughout the event.

The Gideon Bible group consistently keeps a tent near a corner of the event to hand out free Bibles as people enter and exit the square, and Youth For Christ set up a small space to sell peaches at this year’s Craft in the Square event.

Despite having food vendors, the chamber did choose to keep the vendors to more snack or specialty type foods in hopes of encouraging guests to visits restaurants around the square.

The most popular shops around the square appeared to be the ones with sidewalk stands and specials.

Fairgoers walked the square with boutique bags and food from these restaurants and stores like, El Chic Boutique and Central Park Coffee Company.

Vendors and shoppers alike expressed excitement for next years Crafts in the Park.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com