The Maine Crafts Association held the first annual Fine Craft Show on Saturday August 22nd, on Congress Street between High and State Streets.
Erin Moran large dinner and salad plates.
A rain date was scheduled, but luckily it was not needed. A little before nine in the morning, some 80 exhibitors from all over New England began to set up their booths. The clouds cleared to an easy breeze.
It was too strong of a breeze for one hapless vendor. They set up a tall display with glass work, and the wind took it down.
After dozens of glass pieces shattered in the street the vendor lamented, “I’ll cry later.”
As the day progressed beautiful weather moved in and booths got busy. Visitors from “away” were plentiful, carrying armfuls of stuffed shopping bags and toting canvases from the art walk that was held on the same day down the road.
The popular WSCH 6 Sidewalk Art Festival, now in its 50th year, was promoted and managed separately, but the two shows existed side-by-side and supported each other.
Jackie Haines, Bracelet
The day continued to clear and unfolded to near perfect weather. The crowds grew from morning to mid-afternoon. Busy exhibitors sold wood crafts, linens, kit wear and jewelry.
Locals moved briskly on the side walks behind craft booths, drinking huge coffees and enjoying the day.
By 3:30 things at the first annual fine craft show began to slow. By 4:00 p.m. booths started to come down. There were plenty of happy faces on the exhausted exhibitors.
It was a busy sales day in the West End, so we will likely be looking forward to a 2nd Annual Fine Craft Show in the summer of 2016.
