Each fall, the Incarnation Church of Mantua hosts a craft fair for crafters to sell their goods. Due to the response from last fall’s event, it decided to host another one in the spring.
On June 8 from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Kernan Center (240 Main St., Mantua), vendors will be set up inside, selling their goods to attendees. The free event will also have raffle baskets worth at least $50. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Incarnation Church and the charities it supports. Refreshments will be available and parking is free. It is recommended to bring multiple forms of payment.
“We don’t allow the home companies there, we only allow those who have the cash-and-carry option,” said Peg Wilson, coordinator of the craft fair. “You must have a product that day. All of the money raised goes to various charities, a shelter, covering food and back to the church for charity dinners.”
In the fall, Wilson said they amassed 60 vendors and more than 600 people in attendance, and the church’s parish wanted to replicate that in the summer.
Wilson added the event will also provide women with information on the church’s women’s group. She added the president, Denis Mulranen, will be there to talk about the group’s trips, meetings, game nights and more for those interested.
“We meet once a month, and this is one of the things we do to raise money,” she added.
New this year will be a LulaRoe Boutique, a multi-level marketing leggings brand, by a local seller for women to sort through and try on the various leggings sold by the company. The classrooms will be converted to private dressing rooms.
Wilson added the church is also selective in the vendors it allowed to provide shoppers and vendors a chance to see different types of things being sold.
“We only have one of each type of vendor with jewelry that’s for kids, paparazzi jewelry, leggings, the crotchet who sells baby sweaters, and a lady that does stuffed animals, a scarf – there’s a good variety for people who are shopping and those selling,” said Wilson.
Wilson recognized the event is the same day as Mantua’s food truck festival, so the church deliberately did not schedule large-scale food vendors (other than the church’s kitchen and baked goods) so people will go to Chestnut Branch Park and eat there.
She went on to add vendor applications have closed for the spring event, however they are currently accepting them for the fall event, which is expected to be held Nov. 2.
“It’s a community day out for people to bring the whole family together and there’s a lot of different items and a way for people to pick up gifts.”
To learn more information about the craft fair, or to sign up for the November event, contact Wilson at (856) 404-0076.
