BELINGTON – The holiday season is quickly approaching with each passing day. Thankfully, the 39th Annual Christmas Craft Show is coming soon to alleviate your holiday shopping stress in finding the perfect gift for each member of the family.
This annual celebration of the Christmas season will take place Saturday, November 26, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 27, from noon until 4 p.m. at the Randolph County National Guard Armory in Belington, WV.
“In past years, we have had a really good turnout,” said Pam Wilson, organizer of the Annual Christmas Craft Show. “We have a couple thousand people come through each year.”
Rather than requiring an entry fee to visit such an extravagant show, Wilson and her team encourage the community to donate food to benefit the Upshur Cooperative Parish in Buckhannon.
“It’s important to me if we can get more people to bring things for the Parish House, because I volunteer there,” Wilson said.
Photos courtesy of the 39th Annual Christmas Craft Show Facebook page
With more than 50 crafters in attendance, the public can expect a wide variety of holiday goods. Crafts include ceramic ornaments, industrial lamps, stained glass, baskets, brooms, crochet items, wreaths, flower arrangements, primitive dolls, clocks, dog treats, gnomes, hand carved walking sticks, wooden ornaments, and much more.
“I think the public will be very impressed with the quality and the variety of things that we have,” Wilson said. “Lots of people come back the second day because they wished they had gotten something or it was really crowded – which is great – but sometimes you can’t see everything in one day.”
Wilson’s newest craft show partner, Lara Lawrence, has been a vendor of the show since 2012. As a longtime basket weaver, she enjoys educating curious minds who take great interest in the art – no matter their age – through a live display of basket weaving during the show.
Lawrence said shows like this allow local crafters to get their name and products out there to the public, on their own terms.
“Shows like this are nice because a lot of people can’t afford store space,” Lawrence said. “By doing craft shows, it gives them an opportunity to sell their merchandise seasonally, instead of having to pay year-round.”
Food will also be available for purchase. Lawrence confessed that the homemade chicken noodle soup and pepperoni rolls are “the best around.”
Follow the 39th Annual Christmas Craft Show Facebook page for event updates, crafter shout outs and more.
The 39th Annual Christmas Craft Show will be held Saturday, November 26, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 27, from noon until 4 p.m. at the Randolph County National Guard Armory — Rt. 33 Corridor H, 201 Caisson Drive in Belington, West Virginia.
