The YMCA at Virginia Tech will hold its 50th annual craft fair Friday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Blacksburg Community Center, 724 Patrick Henry Drive.
The craft fair offers shoppers the chance to get ready for Christmas by shopping for unique pieces of handmade art from juried vendors.
Friday’s session runs from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday’s session begin at 10 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Sunday’s session starts at noon and winds up at 4 p.m.
For 145 years the YMCA at Virginia Tech has built community in Blacksburg through multiple programs. The YMCA at VT International Programs became the Cranwell International Center. Y students initiated the University’s recycling program, leading to the creation of the Office of Sustainability. Y student leadership and volunteer development programs helped lead to the formation of Virginia Tech Engage. Y Community Gardens grew into a multi-acre community asset and transitioned to the Town of Blacksburg’s Community Gardening program. The YMCA at VT created the original student affairs, runs VT orientation (Camp Hokie), develops and publishes the student handbook, provides housing at 25 cents per day, developed a student work program that evolved into the Financial Aid Office and advocated for and helped create the Student Counseling Center.
The money raised at the craft fair for the past 49 years has helped to finance these programs while providing the opportunity for local, regional and national artisans to showcase and sell their products to the Blacksburg community just in time for the holidays.
In addition to craft vendors who have been part of the event for 30 years or more, this year’s fair will present 13 first-time vendors. The craft fair will have something for everyone with activities such as Storytime with Joelle, Live Music with American Roots, Simple Gifts of the Blue Ridge and treats and beverages from Bollo’s Bakery & Café, Big Lick Ice Cream and Hethwood Market.
In all, the fair will feature more than 50 juried artisans including some of the area’s most prominent artists and makers in a broad geographical region reaching beyond Virginia. Arts and crafts categories include jewelry, metals, glass, woodworks, photography, stained glass, painting, sculpture, soaps & candles, furniture, pottery and textiles.
