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The crafting is in the details

It is the details and the organization that makes the 24th Annual AutumnFest Craft Show the place to be on Saturday, Oct. 22.
The 24th Annual AutumnFest Craft Show will have some of the same crafters, but those visiting could possibly see something a bit new at the booths this year.
“We pay attention to detail. Our show is very well organized,” said Vicki Mallory, executive director of the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce. “They know it is top quality, top notch crafts. We watch closely for people who update their crafts. We don’t want crafters selling the same thing today they were selling 24 years ago.”
The AutumnFest Craft Show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at three different locations. One will be at the Algona High School gym and commons area. Another will be at the Bishop Garrigan High School gym. The third will be located at the Knights of Columbus Hall. A free shuttle is offered between locations.
Mallory said there are three locations because the event has added crafters over the years. The craft show started with two sites and because of the demand for crafters, a third location was added after three years.
There are 145 booths. Mallory estimates this year there will be approximately 110 different crafters participating. Booths include sewn items, jewelry, pottery, quilts, musical CDs with personalized names for kids, seasonal items, Christmas items, metal items and different types of home décor.
One of the unique booths is a metal sculpturist who is set up at a booth at Bishop Garrigan. “He uses old plow blades and creates sculptors,” Mallory said. “Those pieces seem to fly out of that booth every year.”
There will be lunch at all three locations. In addition, various organizations will be on hand to sell items to help with local scholarships and donations back to the community. There will also be a used book sale and Christmas wreath sale.
Mallory said the AutumnFest Craft show impacts the community.
“It remains the #1 non dues, revenue generator for the Chamber,” she said. “It also benefits a lot more organizations in the community.”
It is estimated that 2,500 to 3,000 people will attend this year.
“Crafters all do well and the business community sees the benefit from this,” Mallory said. “People just don’t come to the craft show. They spend the entire day in the community. It is a huge financial impact for the community.”
It is a day out for those who attend. “People are interested in all of the different offerings,” Mallory said. “A lot of crafters say they get a lot of repeat customers. A lot of them ask to have the same space again because the customers know where to find them.
“We started off with the right type of organization and kept it very organized throughout the time that we have done it,” Mallory added. “We try very hard to not overload one location with the same type of crafter. We try to keep a mix in each of the locations.”
Admission is $5. Children, 12 and under are free.
 

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