The Annual Arts and Crafts Fair has been around for over 24 years. It showcases the creativity and talent of local artisans.
Before Futures Foundation opened in 1999, this fair was hosted at St. Teresa School.
This event serves as an invaluable opportunity for local vendors to showcase and sell their handmade crafts.
Each year, on the first weekend of December, this event is a great start to the holiday season, Christmas shopping and festivities.
It offers a platform for local creators to connect with shoppers while promoting the importance of supporting local craftsmen. The event has proven extremely popular, with these seventy vendor spots being rented within an hour of registration opening.
In recent years, it has had a significant increase in participation. Over the past nine years, organizers have noted the surge in interest. It is a testament to the fair's success. The vendors not only include local artisans, but some travel from surrounding areas, including reservations and even distant cities like Santa Fe and Socorro, to be part of this event. Many vendors come each year to participate.
The fee for participating vendors is reasonable at just $35 for the weekend, covering overhead costs such as utilities. This low barrier to entry helps ensure that local artists can participate and showcase their work without financial strain, enabling a diverse range of crafts and artistry.
In addition to the market, the fair also features events such as the Festival of Trees and the Holiday Heroes blood drive, which draws even more attendees.
For the Festival of Trees, raffle tickets are sold for those who wish for a chance to win one of the decorated trees.
The Holiday Heroes blood drive saves lives, making the holiday season brighter.
On any given day of the weekend, anywhere from 500 to a thousand people walk through the doors, with total attendance reaching into the thousands.
The atmosphere is lively, bustling with residents eager to discover unique gifts and festive decor. Visitors can expect various crafts, handmade goods, and baked treats, making it a perfect destination for holiday shopping or simply finding something special. Many of these crafts are unique and cannot be found at stores.
Seasonal and everyday crafts from art and jewelry to woodwork and ceramics, crocheted items and quilts, sports memorabilia and Christmas decorations, the fair is a treasure trove of creativity that supports local talent.
As the organizer Joaquin Jiron encourages, “There's always something you can find.”