Want to buy local? Craft fairs abound this holiday season
Torren Eaton with her handmade items for sale at the Sedgwick craft fair. Photo by Jessica Hardy.
By Jessica Hardy
The holiday craft season kicked off on Nov. 15 at the Sedgwick Elementary Craft Show, with vendors from numerous towns showcasing their unique wares.
Different items from kids' homemade crafts to quilts, fabric paintings, signs, jewelry, blankets, and even amigurumi, a Japanese form of crochet, were on display.
“I am impressed how much there is here,” Whitney Haskell of Deer Isle said.
Vendors of all different talents chatted with customers throughout the day while enjoying homebaked goods and shopping at the school's book fair.
Local artisan Colby Pert of Sedgwick was on hand with his well-known paintings on wood.
“It keeps me out of mumma’s hair,” Pert said of his craft.
Colby and Peggy Pert. Photo by Jessica Hardy.
Residents from across the Peninsula come to shop locally and support the community.
And if you missed the Sedgwick show–the unofficial start of the holiday craft fairs–more are on the way. Numerous other shows and other holiday events will continue in the area up to the holiday season.
The Island Community Center hosts its annual crowd-pleaser, the Festival of Trees, from Dec. 5-7 in Stonington. Local organizations and businesses decorate themed trees and wreaths to win prizes. The event also includes kids’ crafts and visits from the Dr. Seuss holiday favorites the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, and Max the dog. And of course, Santa makes an appearance.
Santa then rides again when he cruises around Brooksville on one of the town’s fire trucks on Dec. 7. Hot chocolate and other goodies will be offered at the Brooksville Community Center from 4-5 p.m.
The George Stevens Academy class of 2028 will host their Winter Bazaar in Blue Hill on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with local artisans and vendors, plus holiday boxes made by the 10th grade, kitten adoptions by 11th grade, and an Angel Tree for Local kids presented by the 12th grade.
For a nautical Christmas, head to Northeast Harbor on Dec. 6 when the town celebrates its Christmas Festival with a full day of events. The celebration starts with a 5k walk or run, crafts, card making, caroling, and a gingerbread house contest. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their way by boat to the Northeast Harbor Marina in the afternoon to greet families. The night concludes with an Italian dinner and concert at the Neighborhood House.
And of course, next week Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29 when residents are encouraged to support local businesses by shopping locally.
For a full listing of holiday events, please visit The Rising Tide’s events calendar.
The Rising Tide highlights artistic endeavors from our community, and showcases them here in our “Create” section. If you have something you’d like to submit—a poem, a picture of a painting, a photograph, a music recording—send it to info@risingtide.media. We’d love to publish it and give you an audience for your creativity.
