El Dorado Springs club prepares for festival

Friday, October 17, 2003

The Arts and Crafts Club of El Dorado Springs is gearing up for its annual fall festival. Lucy Poore, a charter member of the club, said there were still spots available and crafters were welcome to join the fun. "We have some more room. If anyone has some handmade craft items to show they can contact Melody Wilson, who is in charge of vendors." The two-day festival will be Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2. The hours are slightly different this year. Saturday the hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday the hours will change to 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. "We changed it so people could go to church and then at the end of the day get home a little earlier. It just makes it easier for people, especially if they're from out of town." The town and the weather have always seemed to cooperate with the group, Poore said it has always seemed to be good weather during the fair. "It's always been good weather the weekend of the festival, we rarely have any bad snaps. The people in El Dorado have been great to us and have supported us very well. I'm very grateful to the town." Poore said as the club members age they tend to slow down but continue to contribute to the festival. She encouraged area crafters, especially men, to participate "We used to do more but everyone's getting older and it's not like it used to be. Over the years we've had about four men who've been in the club but now there's only one. There are a lot of men out there who make all kinds of things and they would sure be welcome." The first craft show was held in the American Legion hall but every show since then has been in the city's Park Community Building in downtown El Dorado Springs. "I'm one of two charter members still around. We started out September 8, 1968 and really rushed to get the show going in the first or second week of October. When we first started out we were in the American Legion but the mayor asked us why we didn't just use the community building." This year the organizers are trying to get some entertainment lined up, but need acts. "If you sing, play and instrument, are in a small group, even read poetry we would like for you to come down and do your thing on Saturday. There will be an audio system provided," Poore said. Door prizes will be given away every half hour and there are several special prizes to be given away during the event. "The first prize is a handmade quilt, which will be given away at 4 p.m. Sunday, the second prize is a handmade cedar chest and the third prize is a treasure box with a handmade craft from each exhibitor." Poore said there would be food available as well. "Someone will handle the snack bar on Saturday but we'll make sandwiches and homemade pie on Sunday." Any money that's left over after all the bills are paid go to local charities. "We don't make a lot of money but whatever we have left we give away to whoever needs it most, especially if it's for kids."

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