BY VICKI TERWILLIGER
The 30th annual Hegins Valley Arts & Crafts Faire will be held, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 21 at Hegins Park. The faire has generated more than a quarter of a million dollars for community organizations and philanthropic causes since its inception 30 years ago, while drawing in 200 artisans and crafters annually.
Over the past 29 years, attendance has ranged from 5,000 to 8,000 for the one-day event. Last year, the $13,000 generated was divided among 13 recipients. Over the course of the faire, there has been $251,189 raised, according to Cindy Herring, of Hegins, who serves as HVACF treasurer.
The show’s had staying power.
“We try our best to ensure that they have hand-crafted items. There’s a variety of crafters, and the park is the perfect place and has ample parking,” Herring said.
The number of craft vendors hovers at 200 annually.
A new activity available this year will be “Chalk It Up with Michelle and Penny.” It will be a make-and-take craft area on the main stage where children and adults can pay to create their own art piece to take home.
As many as 25 food vendors will offer the day’s fare, according to Dotti Klouser, HVACF president. Two new food vendors are Rita’s Italian Ice and My Pop’s Place, which will carry crabby fries, crabby cheese pretzels, beer battered bacon, pizza and cheese steaks.
Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m. in the park eating house by the Zion Lutheran Church of Erdman.
Admission to the craft faire is free for visitors. A $2 parking fee will be collected to benefit the Hegins Park Association. The Hegins Park is located approximately six miles west on Route 25 from Exit 112 of Interstate 81. Follow the signs to the park.
Only service dogs are permitted to the event. Other dogs are not allowed.
Contact the writer: 570-628-6007
