CHIMACUM — Organizers of the 30th annual Chimacum Arts and Crafts Fair said this week they hope to have as many as 3,000 visitors.
“We had over 2,500 last year,” said Flavia Heineman, Chimacum Arts and Crafts Fair chair.
“I am hoping we push over 3,000 this year.”
The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Chimacum High School, 91 West Valley Road.
The entry price is $3 — $2 if the attendee presents a nonperishable food item that will be donated to the Jefferson County Food Bank Association in Chimacum, Heineman said.
Proceeds from the fair supports students in East Jefferson County’s three school districts – Chimacum, Port Townsend and Quilcene/Brinnon — and public service organizations.
The fair is organized by a group of parents, grandparents and graduates dedicated to excellence in education.
About 108 quality vendors will set up at the fair this year, Heineman said.
“This is a real-for-goodness craft fair,” she said.
“Coming out to this, you are not getting junk. The majority of what we have is very nicely done products. You can call that vendor up and they will honor their work.”
For sale will be holiday wreaths, ceramic bowls, paintings, art, wooden birdhouses, leather products and other items, Heineman said.
The annual fair is a time-honored tradition that “brings our community together and it is so much fun,” Heineman said.
“This is the only time we get to see friends and family that we haven’t seen in a long time. We last saw them here at the fair.”
And while the fair is well-attended, “we would like to get more of the community out,” Heineman said.
As such, “we have started a second tradition,” she said.
“What we have started to do, and this will be our second year doing it, is taking a community photo. Prior to the fair doors opening at 10 a.m., everybody is going to gather outside” for the photo.
About 100 people were in the photo last year, Heineman said.
“It was fun,” she said.
“We had a band that played and followed a minstrel into the fair.”
For more information, see chimacumarts.com.
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Features Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.