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.”
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.
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