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| Aroostook Republican photo/ Natalie De La Garza Harper Holabird, 19 months old, of Caribou, was pretty amazed with the foot-flapping duck she got at the Caribou Arts and Crafts Fair on Sunday. |
By Natalie De La Garza
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Eclectic arts and handmade crafts filled the Caribou high school’s gymnasium and cafeteria this weekend — but President of the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce Laurie Colton didn’t get to see much of it; she spent her weekend working the entryway of the annual fair, and was happy to estimate that attendance was easily in the 2,000 range.
“We are so proud of this event,” she said on Monday. “This is one of the major things we’re able to do every year that really helps promote commerce in the city … it brings people into town, and brings traffic to our local stores and restaurants.”
For the last nearly 10 years, Pamela Hansberry of Maine-ly Cats has made the trek up from Gouldsboro for the annual arts and crafts show.
“There’s a good community feeling here and it’s fun,” Hansberry said. In addition to the crafts and items of Maine-ly Cats, Hansberry’s booth featured the super-friendly cat, Freida.
Next door to Hansberry was John Whittaker of Mapleton, who featured his woodworking through the booth Scrolling and Beyond.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie De La Garza Anita Johnston of Presque Isle takes a gander at the Goss Brook Bears and Friends booth at the Caribou Arts and Crafts Fair on Sunday. |
A local artisan, he’s been coming to the Caribou crafting show for six years and wouldn’t miss it.
“It’s the best show in The County,” Whittaker said proudly, explaining that the vendors and crafters at the show all feature 100 percent hand-crafted items … which isn’t always the case at other shows.
Art, jewelry, trinkets and toys — Colton saw plenty of folks leaving the show with armloads of unique items and big smiles.
“As President of the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce, I’m so thankful to the community for supporting this event,” she added. “It’s always been successful, but each year it seems to get a little better and the community support is fantastic to see.”
The event drew vendors from downstate and out of state and customers from all over The County and even Canada.
Next up on the calendar for the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce is the annual Santa’s Workshop this December, and planning meetings are right around the corner. Those looking to volunteer for the tremendously popular community event are asked to call the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce at 498-6156.
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie De La Garza Checking out the Morningstar stand and the Caribou Arts and Crafts Fair on Sunday were Sheldon Levesque and Debbie Levesque, of Van Buren. The stand is owned by Mike Morningstar of New Hampshire, who’s been coming to the Caribou Arts and Crafts Fair for the past 10-12 years. |
