Down economy doesn’t dampen local craft fairs

The John Muir Building at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds was packed with people for the 35th annual Sonora Christmas Festival on Friday afternoon. Maggie Beck/Union Democrat, copyright 2009

“I thought it was way down because of the economy, but my vendors seem to think differently,” said Carol Jones-Giannini, of Murphys, who has been organizing the Arnold Christmas Fair and Bazaar for 31 years with Diana Gerkensmeyer, of Arnold.
   

While the number of vendors was down from last year, a steady stream of customers flowed through the doors of Avery Middle School for the two-day event.

“I made more (Friday) than I did both days last year,” said Fran Rudisill, of Stockton, who sells sterling silver jewelry.

Tami Busick, of Jamestown, was selling her photographs and fudge.

“We are doing very well this year,” she said. “I’m very pleased with the show.”

On the other hand, sisters Sarah Kelly, of Angels Camp, and Rebecca Detrick, of Davis, said their sales were slower than usual. They sell, among other things, handcrafted pot holders, scarves and jewelry.

“Maybe it will pick up later today,” Kelly said, “but so far it’s been slow for us.”

Diane Siler, organizer of the 24th annual Mountain Ranch Community Club’s Christmas in the Country craft fair, bake sale and luncheon on Saturday said the number of vendors at that event was down 30 percent.

However, hordes of customers appeared to be pouring into the clubhouse just before noon.

“Maybe we will do OK after all,” she said. “This is a surprise. We will have to see the numbers when it’s all over.”

Ray Tolar, co-organizer with his wife, Kim, of the 17th annual Hometown Crafters Holiday Faire and Craft Boutique, said most of his vendors were reporting their sales were 40 to 60 percent lower than usual.

“We were kind of expecting it with the way the economy is,” he said.

Organizers of the 35th annual Sonora Christmas Craft and Music Festival at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds could not be reached Saturday for comment, but the fairgrounds were full of fair goers and vendors and entertainers were performing at several venues. It looked like a normal year for what is usually the biggest Christmas craft fair in Tuolumne County.