It’s almost the season to be jolly so if you want to get a head start on some Christmas shopping, Thorold is the place to be this weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, the 29th Annual Thorold Arts and Crafts Show is taking place at Thorold Secondary School.
“We have 87 vendors that are coming to the school,” says the event’s coordinator Krista Miller. “We use the entire first floor of Thorold Secondary School, which is pretty large. And it's a handmade market. So all of the crafters are artisans. They make their own products.”
The show keeps growing every year, with around 40 new vendors this year.
“I think that the event has become more widely known since we've been using digital media to get the word out,” says Miller. “We’ve received a lot of applications early in the year from people who had not been involved before but had heard about it.”
Just like in years prior, the show is juried, which means that each vendor is hand-selected.
The fair will feature a range of products from jewelry to body products, clothing and accessories, as well as jams and sauces, and many other handmade things.
“We try to make sure that we don't have any category oversubscribed,” Miller says. “We try to make sure that there's some variety.”
The show used to be organized by local resident Kathy Henderson, but three years ago Miller took over the baton.
“She really built it up to be a good quality show,” says Miller. “It's a well-known show. People comment that it's well-organized. They like to be a part of it. They like to come and shop there. So it's very popular.”
Entry to the show is $3 per adult, with all proceeds going towards supporting student activities at the school.
“It reduces all the barriers to participation for students and enhances their opportunities for involvement,” Miller says. “The school's really pleased to be able to do that for its students.”
Over the weekend, students and staff will also be present to make sure the show runs smoothly.
“The whole school is involved,” says Miller. “One of the great things about this show is that we have students who will help the vendors load in their stuff and load it out at the end of the day. The vendors love that. It's good for the kids and it's good for the school. So it's really a team effort.”
Miller hopes to see many Christmas shoppers this weekend.
“Come on out and be a part of this fun event before Christmas,” she says. “Pick up some unique items as gifts for yourself and support the Thorold community and Thorold Secondary School.”
The Thorold Arts and Craft Show is taking place on Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17. The show opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.
