ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 29, 1996 TAG: 9603290041
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
Christiansburg potter Ann Hess looks forward to the Brush Mountain Arts and Crafts Fair as much for the chance to meet people as to sell her wares.
"I always get a double booth - not because I have a lot of pottery to show, but because I always have so many friends stopping by to talk," Hess said. "I really enjoy that community aspect." The crafts fair, which will once again be held at Virginia Tech's Rector Field House this weekend, is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the area's largest such show.
"It's an informal show that has developed a lot of character over the years," Hess said. "It's a good quality show, but the best thing is they have worked hard to develop the festival aspect."
This year approximately 100 vendors from all regions of the United States will converge on Blacksburg, bringing with them a variety of crafts ranging from wood working to handmade jewelry.
"The Brush Mountain Fair is a wonderful showcase of arts and crafts," fair coordinator Julie Earthman said. "It's a juried show, which means all the vendors had to send in slides of their crafts for approval before the fair.
According to Earthman, the fair is an excellent opportunity for crafters and consumers alike.
"It's a great show for the vendors because it is an excellent showcase for their crafts," Earthman said. "The vendors pay a flat fee for the show, which covers their booths and the use of electricity if they need it. Everything the vendors sell is their profit. The only additional charges the fair makes is state tax.
"For the public it's an excellent show because they can find a lot of really exquisite handmade crafts made by some top-notch crafters," she said. "We have found that a lot of people come back year after year because they know a certain crafter that they like will be at the fair."
For crafters like Hess, the Brush Mountain Arts and Crafts Fair offers a chance to generate business with the community on a long-term basis.
"I do some wholesale of my pottery, and I generally sell a decent amount at the Brush Mountain festival," Hess said. "One of the best things about the festival is that I get a lot of special orders from people who want something a little more unique."
In addition to arts and crafts, fair-goers will also be able to enjoy live music from area bands, as well as food that will be sold by area restaurants.
"We are trying to give the people who attend the fair a total artistic environment," Earthman said. "Local bands have volunteered to play for the fair and there will be food available to the public. In addition, we also have a nonprofit showcase where local organizations will be able to hand out information about themselves to those in attendance."
Earthman said she expects the fair to draw between 5,000 and 10,000 people over the weekend, depending on the weather. She added that the fair has been guaranteed there will be adequate parking and the construction taking place on Spring Road, which runs in front of Rector Field House, will not affect the parking situation.
Brush Mountain Arts and Crafts Fair: Friday-Sunday at Virginia Tech's Rector Field House.
Hours: Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. Admission $2, children under 12 admitted free.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. Potter Ann Hess (left) will be on hand this weekendby CNBfor the Brush Mountain Arts and Crafts Fair. B&W. 2. Above are some
examples of her work. color.