Craft fair comes to town
One of the few handmade craft fairs left in Northern California will work to delight every visitor again this year.
Only handcrafted items will be on sale at the 34th annual Orland Craft Fair Saturday and Sunday in three buildings at the Glenn County Fairgrounds.
Featured will be many longtime vendors and plenty of new ones.
Organizer Olga Peterson said she is particularly excited about Joyce Moor, "an exquisite China painter" from Shingletown, who makes her craft fair debut.
Also new this year, local produce will be on sale outside. Peterson said local farmers will bring apples, mandarin oranges, kiwis, persimmons and other locally grown fare.
Among the many longtime
favorites will be Carol Hans, who spends the entire year crocheting pot holders for the fair; the Stocktons, who make wood bird houses and wheel barrows; and Salvagno's Event Designers and Florists.
Peterson, who has organized the event every year with the help of Jeannie Robinson, said she only accepts vendors who offer handmade items, "no resale" merchandise. "We don't want anything from China," for example, she said.
"We have unique handcrafted items at affordable prices," Peterson added.
People come from as far away as north of Redding, east of Chico, south of Marysville and west to Santa Rosa to do their Christmas shopping every year.
"Chico is a huge supporter," Peterson said.
With more than 250 vendors, visitors rarely leave empty-handed. Merchandise ranges from jewelry to metal art, painted gourds to antique wind chimes, wood furniture to homemade candy, home decor, Christmas ornaments, children's items, books by local authors and all manner of creations in between.
Some 20 nonprofit organizations participate by setting up food booths. Selling favorites like giant baked potatoes, pulled-pork sandwiches, popcorn, hot dogs, beverages and more helps add money to their coffers.
For many, it is the biggest fundraiser of the year, putting "$15,000 to $20,000 into the community through the nonprofits," Peterson said.
Also this year will be a booth to raise money for Melissa Romano, an Orland resident who needs a liver transplant.
Helping make the craft fair a success year after year are community service organizations and youth groups such as 4H and the Orland High School Safe and Sober Graduation committee. This year, they will be joined by students participating in a new community service program at the high school.
Sponsored by the Orland Historical and Cultural Society, proceeds from the craft fair make it possible for the group to cover basic operating expenses for the Alta Schmidt House Museum and Heritage Trail, Peterson said. It also helps pay for some of the projects and activities the Historical Society sponsors each year.
Contact Lydia Harris at 934-6800 or lharris@tcnpress.com.
KNOW AND GO
What: Orland Craft Fair
Where: Glenn County Fairgrounds, 221 E. Yolo St.
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free
