The Lewes Historical Society's Craft Fair Saturday, October 4 promises to feature something for everyone. According to the event's chairman Carolyn Lester the fall show at the Lewes Historical Complex is "a great opportunity for show-goers to do their holiday and special occasion shopping early and to see some of the finest American crafts on the Eastern Seaboard." The annual Fall Craft Fair will feature some 80 professional crafters at the Society's site, 3rd and Shipcarpenter Streets in Lewes from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $2. Rain date is the following day.

Carolyn Lester said that the busy Lewes weekend which includes Boast the Coast and Coast Day is an added incentive for crafters and visitors to come to the Historical Complex. "We've been very pleased with the fall event because every year we see more and more folks attending the show looking for that special one-of-a-kind gift or unique item. We're really pleased and excited about how much the October show has grown and become a part of the Lewes scene."

Another aspect of the Craft Fair has been the addition of live music performed by folk and bluegrass professionals. This show will feature the return of Celtic Harvest, a band of musicians who play the traditional music of Ireland. Fiddles, flutes, harp, mandolin and guitar as well as other traditional Irish instruments will resonate throughout the grounds as this troupe performs its informative, funny and entertaining routines.

According to Lester, the show continues to highlight a broad spectrum of local artists as well as crafts people from up and down the Eastern U.S. Local favorites from Lewes, Maureen Carmody and Mark Lopisz, will display their dried flower and wreath creations. Other locals include Gail Fields who makes hand-crafted jewelry using semi-precious stones and fresh-water pearls and Pat Staby-Rogers whose whimsical fabric applique designs include pillows and framed wall hangings.

Others displaying their craftsmanship will be Evelyn Abel of Manassas, Va. who creates hand-painted stem ware, vases and pitchers; Linda Dashiell-Ohotnicky, West Dover, Vt. whose hand-thrown pottery is both decorative and functional and John Palmer of Stevensville, Md. who will display folk and primitive art painted on antiques. Other crafts include the wooden toys, games and puzzles of Charles Smith from Wilmington, Del.; hand-painted infant clothing made by New York City's Susan Pillay and lady's block-printed apparel creations from Julianne Bates of Heathville, VA.

According to Lester, many of the crafts have origins in America's heritage. Pottery, soaps, quilts, stained glass, handcrafted furniture, baskets, old-world Santas are among the more traditional crafts you can expect to see at the Fair. Contemporary items include bronze, copper, gold and silver jewelry, dolls, Teddy bears and appliqued pillows, shadow boxes and handmade clothing.

Lester credits the continued success of the Craft Fair to "the efforts of a very enthusiastic and hard working committee: Marie and Bob Adams, Lou Braithwaite, Chris Besche, Chris Chribin and Steve Rogers." Sandwiches, hot dogs, baked goods and beverages will be sold at the Historical Society's concession stand throughout the day.

The Lewes Historical Society is a private, charitable organization founded in 1962 and has restored 12 historic Lewes homes. The Society is a vibrant member-based organization with continuing activities and projects. For more information about The Lewes Historical Society Craft Fair or about the Society, please call 645-7670 or email events@historiclewes.org.

©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society