Holiday craft fair season has arrived
Lee Summers was one of many vendors who sold crafted items at the 39th Annual Osburn Craft Fair this past weekend.
Photo by MOLLY ROBERTS
OSBURN — Baked goods, crocheted items, jerky, and more could be found at the 39th Annual Osburn Craft Fair this past weekend at Silver Hills Elementary School.
“I think it was great considering we haven’t had it for the last two years,” said event coordinator Ashlee Myles.
Myles took the organization of the fair over five years ago because the event is near and dear to her heart.
“My mom and I attended every year for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I understand how important it is for small business owners and the community. It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to shop local and vendors to make some extra money for the holidays.”
This year, the craft fair had just shy of 60 vendors filling the gymnasium and selling their specialty wares, including handmade baked goods from North Idaho Snackables and Soul Essentials, A Bakery.
Also included were ‘Friends’ of local organizations selling raffle tickets for gift baskets, including the Friends of the Osburn and Kellogg Library.
Supporting the Wallace City Pool were the ‘Friends’ who sold one-of-a-kind merchandise to help with costs and also help fund kids’ free swimming during the summer.
Myles is already looking toward the future of the craft fair.
“Next year will be the 40th annual craft fair, and I hope to bring back some of the older traditions like raffles with vendor donations and hopefully bring in some more food vendors and live music.”
In 2019, before the event had to be closed down due to the pandemic, the craft fair hosted local musician Krista Hojem to serenade shoppers through the fair, and Myles would love to continue this tradition.
“As always, I can’t thank the wonderful vendors enough for making this as easy on me as possible,” Myles said. “A huge thank you to Dave Smith for allowing us to purchase our own tarps, so measuring the booths moving forward should be a breeze. I want to thank the Wallace School District for allowing us to keep this tradition going. And my family is such a huge support, I couldn’t do it without them.”
Barring any more world-changing events, Myles would like to remind eventgoers and vendors,
“We are hoping everyone will mark their calendar and know that our event will always be the first weekend in November.”