HOULTON, Maine — Crafters and those seeking holiday gifts were in full supply Friday for the annual Holiday Craft Fair at the Gentle Memorial Building.
For 34 years, the recreation center has hosted the fair, which has grown steadily from a couple dozen vendors in its its year to nearly 60 this year.
“We had multiple churches doing craft fairs in the area, and multiple crafters who were making items to sell, so we thought we would invite all of them together under one roof,” said Marie Carmichael, director of the Houlton Parks and Recreation Department. “When we first started, it was not that big.”
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- Snowmen of all shapes, sizes and designs were on display Friday at the craft booth run by Linda Nye of Smyrna. (Joseph Cyr)
To fill the spaces, officials opened the event to any vendors who wanted to have a table, and from there it exploded, she said. Crafters pay a table fee to reserve space with the proceeds benefiting the recreation center’s youth programs.
Homemade mittens could be found at numerous tables Friday at the 34th annual Holiday Craft Fair at the Gentle Memorial Building. (Joseph Cyr)
Laurie Byron of Houlton was one of the many shoppers enjoying the fair Friday.
“It’s not only about coming over to see what is for sale, it’s about seeing all the people in town,” she said. “We know the church will be here with the bake sale and we like to support that. It’s just nice to see some of the same vendors each year, with new ones added in with different exhibits.”
Brenda Robertson of Houlton was one of the many vendors on-hand and actually had people waiting for her to get to her table. Robertson makes homemade cinnamon rolls and brought 35 dozen to sell on Friday. She sold out in 15 minutes.
“I started making the rolls at 2 a.m., because they have to be fresh” she said.
Robertson said she got into making cinnamon rolls by accident, about 12 years ago.
“I’ve always made bread, and one day I decided to try making cinnamon rolls,” she said. “My husband Wayne loves Cinnabon, so I thought I would try making my own, using my bread recipe.”
Her first year at the craft fair, Robertson said she sold about 12 dozen and as word spread of their tastiness, her requests for orders grew exponentially. At the fair Friday, she also was taking orders for Christmas deliveries.
Eric Howell of Howell’s Woodland Products in Amity was another vendor who was seeing success Friday morning. Howell makes all of his crafts with barn boards.
“I have only been here about five different times, so this year I thought I would try some new things with wooden tree designs and some new wood frames,” he said. “The crafts really sell themselves, so I just have to step back and let people see them.”
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- Ellen Tidd, right, speaks to customers at the Houlton recreation center Friday morning during the 34th annual Holiday Craft Fair. (Joseph Cyr)
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- The Gentle Memorial Building was buzzing with activity Friday morning for the 34th annual Holiday Craft Fair. (Joseph Cyr)
He also lauded the support he received from the recreation center staff.
Trees and picture frames made from barn boards were on display at the table of Eric Howell. (Joseph Cyr)
“It is so helpful to have someone be there when you arrive and unload,” he said. “They pitch right in and help bring stuff in. Marie (Carmichael) does an amazing job.”
Held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, the fair typically draws more than 1,000 people over the two-day span. There is no cost for admission.
