Main Street Nashville
NASHVILLE WEATHER
physicians-mutual-dental-insurance-banners

Handmade Holidays craft fair brings hundreds to event




Lauren and Matthew Ray creating gift items at Welding Life Together. Clarksville Parks and Recreation hosted its annual Handmade Holidays at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. The event drew hundreds of holiday shoppers.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Lauren and Matthew Ray creating gift items at Welding Life Together. Clarksville Parks and Recreation hosted its annual Handmade Holidays at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. The event drew hundreds of holiday shoppers.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Clarksville Parks and Recreation recently hosted its annual Handmade Holidays, a craft fair that features one-of-a-kind handcrafted goods made by local artisans.

This year’s two-day event at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center showcased more than 60 of the area’s best independent artists, designers and crafters, as they presented their fine art, apparel, jewelry, accessories, housewares, paper goods, and more.

The free event drew hundreds, and despite the cold weather customers were lined up outside to partake in the warm treats and coffee provided by the food trucks. While inside, shoppers enjoyed holiday music as they checked out delicious offerings from The Sweet Escape, Brandmont Baked Goods, Georgia Mae’s Pecan Pies, YaYa’s Confectioneries and others.

This year’s event also featured multiple wood workers, candle makers, designers of holiday-themed decorative items, and makers of soaps, cheese, and a myriad of other products.

“I think we had close to 2,000 people come through the doors this year,” Parks & Rec Event Planning Specialist Amanda Pitt said. “We had a big rush on Saturday, but it was a little more calm on Sunday. We had space for 62 vendors this time around.”

Tilly Shrader making a purchase from Lynne Carey at Bluegrass Burlap Co.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Tilly Shrader making a purchase from Lynne Carey at Bluegrass Burlap Co.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Pitt said feedback from vendors and patrons was very positive.

“The vendors were very pleased with the crowd, even though it was bitterly cold Saturday morning,” Pitt said. “We might have been even busier, if the weather had been better, but sales were good . The patrons were really happy with the variety of vendors and products at this year’s show.”

Pitt said shoppers really liked the layout, offering positive comments on the open feel and the energy of the room. This event, which has been around for about a dozen years has become one of the favorites of the holiday season for shoppers and vendors.

Pitt said the next big thing for Parks and Recreation will be the annual Christmas on the Cumberland. This year’s grand opening will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 5 p.m. -7 p.m. There will be free cookies, and food trucks, and Mayor Joe Pitts will be joined by First Lady Cynthia Pitts and Santa Claus as they throw the switch to illuminate over one-million Christmas lights.

Lawrence Freeman offered an assortment of Georgia Mae’s Pecan Pies, including honey glazed, vanilla bourbon, and chocolate.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Lawrence Freeman offered an assortment of Georgia Mae’s Pecan Pies, including honey glazed, vanilla bourbon, and chocolate.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Judy Parman makes cinnamon scented trivets.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Judy Parman makes cinnamon scented trivets.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Hundreds braved the cold weather to come out to this weekend’s Handmade Holidays, a 2-day indoor designer craft marketT. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Hundreds braved the cold weather to come out to this weekend’s Handmade Holidays, a 2-day indoor designer craft marketT. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Des Streetman making a purchase from Karen Nussbaumer at Clarksville Candle Company.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Des Streetman making a purchase from Karen Nussbaumer at Clarksville Candle Company.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Denise Katsanos of YaYa’s Confectioneries specializes in homemade Italian and Greek delightsT. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Denise Katsanos of YaYa’s Confectioneries specializes in homemade Italian and Greek delightsT. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Crochet hats at the Emma Grace Designs booth.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Crochet hats at the Emma Grace Designs booth.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Carved wood hummingbird feeders by Kevin Herndon of Woodson’s Woodcrafts.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

Carved wood hummingbird feeders by Kevin Herndon of Woodson’s Woodcrafts.T. Murray / Main Street Clarksville

 

 

Leave a Reply