Keen on catching shoppers early, the Chipita Park Arts and Crafts Fair Nov. 2-3 is a 20-year tradition in the Ute Pass area. Known for the homemade cinnamon rolls (get there early), soups, sandwiches and baked items, the fair is a local come-on-over event.
The venue itself, Marcroft Hall, is part of the fun because the historic building is a community center at various times of the year. The fair is a fundraiser for the Chipita Park Association, which maintains and updates the building.
A chat with three of the 25 vendors offers a peek at the variety and ingenuity of the crafters. How about a mental robot, for instance? To assemble the metal scraps, Marion Ward scours estate sales, shops around, or looks down while walking.
“Some pieces I find just laying around,” she said.
For Ward, inspiration comes from the piece itself.
“I have an idea, look what I have and put it together,” she said, adding her metal works can double as yard art.
Among her creations are wind chimes made from spoons of different sizes. “You have to be careful about what spoons you use,” she said.
JoAnn Berardi makes aprons, women’s, children’s and mother-daughter matching sets. “I also make barbecue aprons for men,” she said.
Credit COVID for inspiring Berardi’s enhanced creativity. “COVID came and I had nothing else to do,” she said.
In a time when many stores were closed, Berardi found apron patterns on the internet.
Elaine Weagel can get people in the mood for Christmas – even at the beginning of November – with her quilted tree\holiday ornaments. Pumpkins, reindeer, hearts, puppy dogs, each crafted from soft foam with hooks to hang.
“I make them last a lifetime,” Weagel said.
For Weagel, even a knee operation, can’t get her down.
“I enjoy it; thought about stopping,” she said. “But now I’m scrambling to get things done; I have 110 done.”
DeeAnn Brown organizes the event, gathering vendors and choosing Pat Martin as the chef for the day.
“I think that’s what makes us unique because we do offer a variety; some are exquisite and ‘high end’ but many are practical but beautiful,” Brown said. “Like the aprons, they can be beautiful and functional.”
Brown, who was named Volunteer of the Year by Friends of the Library in the Pikes Peak Library District, will have a table of books from the Ute Pass branch.
Carolyn Houchin oversees marketing for the fair.
Visitors can expect to see braided rugs, woodcraft, jewelry, pottery, holiday décor, books, metal art, textiles, etched and painted glass, candles, birdhouses, bird feeders and wind chimes.
