
Tens of thousands of visitors will flock to Mount Dora this weekend as the town’s larger-than-life craft fair returns, lining the streets with vendors selling handmade goods.
This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the Mount Dora Craft Fair, which brings 350 creators, crafters and artists to Lake County Oct. 26-27. The event has been ranked among the best craft festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine.
“This festival has an eclectic mix of affordable arts and crafts rather than fine art,” said Janet Gamache, the festival event coordinator. “It’s a good time for people to go look for gifts and a good time to start holiday shopping.”
Compared with fine art festivals, where paintings and sculptures may cost thousands of dollars, this weekend’s event has unique, handmade crafts that cost under $20 in some cases.
The festival footprint features food and drinks — in addition to downtown Mount Dora’s myriad restaurants and bars — and craft food vendors.
“There’s quite a number of food crafters. We have farm goods, baked goods, jams and jellies, sauces, beef jerky, olive oil and different things like that,” Gamache said.
While visitors can find a wide selection of jewelry, home decor, signs, sculptures, fine art, quilts, pet goods, leather products, wood, tie dye, resin, soap and household goods, they can also find a lineup of live local entertainment at Donnelly Park on both festival days.
Even considering the effort that goes into planning and executing such a large event — which was further complicated by post-hurricane cleanup this year — Gamache said it’s worth it to bring life to Mount Dora.
“There’s an energy that comes with all of the artists and crafters coming every year. There’s so many people,” she said. “The vitality that it brings to the town overall is so exciting. There’s nothing that beats it.”
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If you go
The Mount Dora Craft Fair is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 26-27 in downtown Mount Dora. Parking is extremely limited, so guests are encouraged to park at 900 Lincoln Ave. in Mount Dora for $10 per car and then ride the shuttle to the event. The City of Mount Dora also offers Freebee, a free shuttle that can be used with an app. Well-behaved and leashed pets are allowed but discouraged. For more information, visit mtdoracraftfair.com.