Crafters and Christmas bargain hunters are gearing up for a shopping spree as Cayuga Community College holds its 34th annual Holiday Craft Festival this weekend.
The popular craft show will have its usual variety of more than 150 crafters set up throughout the main building in the student lounge, gym, recreation room, in the front of the college and in the hallways.
Norman Lee, director of student activities, said about 65 percent of the participating crafters return every year. Those who return get first dibs on their booth space provided they submit the required information by the due date. The college is booked up to its capacity.
“We can't increase the number of crafters,” Lee said. “We have to turn some back.”
As the craft show maintains its popularity and grows, the college keeps a crafters' waiting list until the day before the show opens.
Crafters come from as far away as New York City to hawk their wares.
The college expects 3,000 or more visitors to the show over a two-day period.
“It depends on the weather,” Lee said. “If we have a warm December, the crowds are enormous. When the winter is nasty, crowds tend to stay home.”
A special feature will be the Auburn Players' “Musical Revue” of 46 years of its productions at 1 p.m. both on Saturday and Sunday, in the Bisgrove Theater.
Acoustic performers will also entertain on both days in the cafeteria. The Barrigar Bros. play from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Roger Hernandez performs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Musician puppeteer Stephen Baird will mingle with shoppers at the fair, entertaining them with his mandolin and stories. Baird has been performing at the craft show for the past 15 years or so, according to Lee.
This year, Lee said, the cafeteria, under renovation during last year's show, is brand new and will be available for people to sample cultural food provided by various local churches. Those attending the craft fair will have many delicious dishes to look forward to.
“It's a big deal for everybody,” Lee said of the ethnic foods.
Vendors at the craft show keep 100 percent of their sales. They pay a $70 fee to rent their booth space for two days.
“We don't try to take a lot of money from folks,” Lee said. “We're a nonprofit organization. It's an opportunity both for the college and the community.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext.238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
If you go
What: 34th annual Holiday Craft Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Cayuga Community College
Admission: Free
For details: Call 255-1743
Norman Lee, director of student activities, said about 65 percent of the participating crafters return every year. Those who return get first dibs on their booth space provided they submit the required information by the due date. The college is booked up to its capacity.
“We can't increase the number of crafters,” Lee said. “We have to turn some back.”
As the craft show maintains its popularity and grows, the college keeps a crafters' waiting list until the day before the show opens.
Crafters come from as far away as New York City to hawk their wares.
The college expects 3,000 or more visitors to the show over a two-day period.
“It depends on the weather,” Lee said. “If we have a warm December, the crowds are enormous. When the winter is nasty, crowds tend to stay home.”
A special feature will be the Auburn Players' “Musical Revue” of 46 years of its productions at 1 p.m. both on Saturday and Sunday, in the Bisgrove Theater.
Acoustic performers will also entertain on both days in the cafeteria. The Barrigar Bros. play from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Roger Hernandez performs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Musician puppeteer Stephen Baird will mingle with shoppers at the fair, entertaining them with his mandolin and stories. Baird has been performing at the craft show for the past 15 years or so, according to Lee.
This year, Lee said, the cafeteria, under renovation during last year's show, is brand new and will be available for people to sample cultural food provided by various local churches. Those attending the craft fair will have many delicious dishes to look forward to.
“It's a big deal for everybody,” Lee said of the ethnic foods.
Vendors at the craft show keep 100 percent of their sales. They pay a $70 fee to rent their booth space for two days.
“We don't try to take a lot of money from folks,” Lee said. “We're a nonprofit organization. It's an opportunity both for the college and the community.”
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext.238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
If you go
What: 34th annual Holiday Craft Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Cayuga Community College
Admission: Free
For details: Call 255-1743
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