Update: Annual Roseville Holiday Craft Fair Draws Big Crowd Saturday, Wraps Up Sunday

On Satuday, nearly 900 visited the 8th annual Roseville Holiday Craft Fair at Roseville City Hall, a record for a Saturday, according to event organizers.

More than 55 exhibitors crafers and artists were selling hand-made wares, from crocheted hats and scarves to memory teddy bears, jewelry and paintings. 

The craft fair concludes Sunday,with hours scheduled from noon to 4 p.m.

This year's exhibitors include people like Bernadette Longo, who crochets scarves and hats. A technical writing teacher, Longo said, "This (crocheting) is what I love to do."

Downstairs at City Hall, Jan McMillan and Polly DuRose were featuring cakes in a mug. The two friends also added something new this year: pedestal plates. "They are selling like hot cakes," McMillan said.

They were among exhibitors that use recycled materials to make their holiday crafts.

Submitted by Nancy Robbins, Event Chair and Publicity Committee

A fine weekend of great shopping kicks off today (Saturday) and concludes Sunday at the 8th annual Roseville Holiday Craft Fair at Roseville City Hall.

More than 55 local crafters and artists will be selling their hand-made wares including soaps and balms; natural stone, fused glass, beaded and other fine jewelry; photography; pottery; knitted items; gifts for pets; fairy and bird houses; paintings; and much more.

The craft fair will also include a special “Green Gifts” room, filled with crafters who make things of a “green” nature, such as with recycled materials, or items that help you live a more green life.

After a bit of shopping, you’ll want take a break and sit down for a cup of coffee or a bite to eat on the lower level. Cafe Zia [www.mycafezia.com] will be setting up shop, offering a great line-up of beverages and snacks including coffee (always made from free trade beans), hot chocolate, orange juice, banana bread, pumpkin bars, apple cinnamon croissant cups, Scotcharoos and freshly-made cookies. 

Cafe Zia lunch items will include the Ultimate Grilled Cheese or a Ham with Green Apple Sandwich, or a special Holiday Turkey Sandwich made with cranberry mayonaise and Havarti cheese on wild rice bread.

Meanwhile, the Harriet Alexander Nature Center (HANC) Advisory Committee will be selling items such as stuffable tote bags and jalapeno jellies and jam. We’ll also have a free, nature-related make-and-take craft for all ages.

Last but not least, there will be a small raffle, featuring donations from some of the participating crafters. For a small fee you can purchase a chance to take home a very nice item, with all proceeds from the raffle, as well as from the Advisory Committee items, going directly to the nature center’s budget.

Holiday Craft Fair sale hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4.

City Hall is located at 2660 Civic Center Drive, at the corner of Lexington Avenue and County Road C (across from the OVAL/Roseville Skating Center).

The Holiday Craft Fair is put on by volunteers from the Harriet Alexander Nature Center (HANC); crafter fees support environmental education programs. For more information about the event, including an interactive map, a list of participating crafters, a slideshow of some of their work, and much more, go to www.HolidayCraftFair.com.

For more information about the nature center, please call (651) 765-HANC (4262) or visit www.CityofRoseville.com/HANC.