CARIBOU, Maine — Aroostook County’s longest running craft fair and a newer fall-themed event will celebrate the harvest season next weekend.
The 49th annual Caribou Arts & Craft Fair will return to Caribou High School October 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organizers expect the gymnasium and cafeteria to be at capacity both days, with 138 vendors signed up.
Folks can choose from a large variety of craft items, including Christmas decorations, hand sewn mittens and clothing, jewelry and homemade fudge, said Caribou Parks & Recreation superintendent Gary Marquis.
“There’s always something for everyone,” Marquis said. “I’d say we were close to 2,000 attendees last year.”
The Caribou Arts & Craft Fair began in 1973 when the late Martha and Asher Chambers launched a display-only showcase at the former Caribou Armory. After seeing success, the Chambers and the now-defunct Northern Maine Arts Commission revamped the craft fair into the event people enjoy today.
Also on October 21 and 22, the Center for the Advancement of Rural Living will host their second Fall Spectacular at Caribou Wellness & Recreation Center at 55 Bennett Drive. The Fall Spectacular will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 21 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 22.
The Fall Spectacular is similar to the Festival of Trees held every Christmas in various Aroostook towns. Twenty five businesses and community organizations will set up fall-themed displays with prizes that people can win.
The event has free admissions but people can purchase a set of 10 raffle tickets for $5. For a chance to win prizes, they’ll need to drop tickets into buckets next to each display. People who attend both the craft fair and Fall Spectacular can get a ticket punched for a chance to win a $500 Hannaford shopping spree.
Last year’s Fall Spectacular raised $11,000 for CARL. All proceeds supported the nonprofit’s two recovery houses for people with substance abuse disorder. Both houses are owned by CARL and managed by members of the nonprofit Recovery Aroostook.
The Fall Spectacular will also support CARL’s efforts to bring more events to the Caribou Performing Arts Center, located at the high school, and administrative work for current and future programs, said CARL board member Bernie Lagasse.
“We want to give people [attending the craft fair] another place to go that weekend,” Lagasse said. “Hopefully it becomes one of those events people look forward to.”
