Madison Street Festival to feature 90 arts and crafts booths
That number is almost 30 percent more than 2011, arts and crafts chairperson Brenda Parker said. “I already have a waiting list of eight vendors. It’s hard to believe all space is full — two months before the festival.”
Most crafts people live in Madison and Huntsville but others travel from the Birmingham area, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia.
The festival’s arts and crafts section will cover both sides of Main Street from Main Street Café west to Sullivan Street and both sides of Wise Street. In addition, vendors will fill 16 Main Gallery’s east lot from Main Street back to Martin Street.
Arts and crafts chairperson for four years, Parker has served on the Madison Street Festival Committee for more than 10 years. “Five years ago, we had about 40 arts and crafts vendors,” she said.
While Parker takes prides in the increase in artisans, she’s even more proud of the enhanced quality and variety of merchandise. “I encourage festival-goers to shop for Christmas. With so many things to choose from, there’s definitely something for everyone,” she said.
She attributes the increase to “a committee for the past three years dedicated to using every available space in downtown. Most vendors recommend us to crafters they know from other shows. Our vendors are good cheerleaders.”
Arts and crafts items are not juried but must be handmade.
Visitors can expect many choices in arts and crafts:
* Clothing from infants’ ‘onesies’ to adults’ tie-dye T-shirts.
* Hair bows, aprons, purses, crocheted hats, scarves and headbands.
* Children’s toys, girls’ tutus and diaper bags.
* Soaps, lotions, monogramming and hand-turned writing pens.
* Jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, collegiate items, gemstone-beaded lanyards and hand-stamped pieces.
* Wreaths, fall and Christmas decorating pieces, Halloween novelties.
* Hand-painted gourds, pottery, glassware, watercolor and acrylic paintings.
* Packaged jams, jellies and homemade fudge.
* Dog scarves, dresses and cover-ups.
For more information, visit madisonstreetfestival.org.
