Arts And Crafts Fair Blooming

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Roberta Lilly of Mabscott looks over the Steel Blooming booth during the Appalachian Arts and Craft Fair at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Rick Barbero

August 29, 2010

Handmade crafts, music and food attracts visitors to fair

By Andrea Lannom Register-Herald Reporter The Register-Herald Sun Aug 29, 2010, 12:09 AM EDT

Vendors and attendees alike were enjoying the second day of handmade goods, music and food Saturday at the 46th annual Appalachian Arts and Crafts Fair.

Jim and Judi Cullop were selling flag restraints that Jim invented a few years ago. The Cullops, who have attended the fair twice, said Saturday was one of the busiest days they had seen.

“Today’s been good but really busy,” Judi said. “I love being here, though. Everyone is so friendly.”

Judi said she loved attending the fair even before they became vendors. She said she loved the bazaar-esque atmosphere.

“This is such a good thing,” she said. “When I used to come here before, I would go around to these booths and get ideas for crafts.”

Meanwhile, Linda Elschlager was weaving multicolored bands into a basket. For Elschlager, this was her first time at the fair and she said she enjoyed the experience.

“This is a really good crowd,” she said. “It’s been really busy and just overall, a good day here.”

Bridget Craft was also enjoying the day and had attended the fair the past two years.

“It seems like it’s been busier this year,” Craft said. “I like looking at the primitives and I was planning on buying Christmas gifts here.”

Craft wasn’t the only one buying Christmas gifts. Joyce and Kelly Pitsenbarger said they were enjoying all the different vendors and were looking for the perfect Christmas gift.

“We were here yesterday and decided to come back again today to shop for gifts,” Joyce said. “All in all, this has been approximately a 20-year tradition. I love coming to the festival.”

Virginia Diciuccio, who has faithfully attended the event the past 20 years as well, said she didn’t have to think twice about attending this year.

“Why good gracious yes, I love this event,” she said. “It’s so wonderful. There are more booths than I’ve ever seen here.”

When Diciuccio wasn’t admiring the handcrafted goods, she was helping vendors on lunch breaks.

“If they had to go for a little bit, I would work a couple of their booths,” she said. “I just love this event and the people here.”

The fair will be open today from noon to 6 p.m. and will feature a performance from the Lilly Mountaineers. For more information, visit www.appalachianfestival.net.

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Arts And Crafts Fair Blooming

Handmade crafts, music and food attracts visitors to fair

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