Music, food, original art set up for the Mad River Valley Craft Fair on Labor Day weekend
August 23, 2024 | By Waterbury Roundabout 
Outdoor booths at the Mad River Valley Craft Fair. Photo courtesy of Photos by Kintz
Labor Day weekend in Waitsfield means the Mad River Valley Craft Fair at the scenic Kenyon’s Field with live music, food, and over 80 artist booths to peruse.
The 53rd annual event is held rain or shine Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free. Admission is $5; kids 12 and under are free.
Since 1989, the fair has been run by The Valley Players nonprofit community theater group. Volunteers and members of the Players’ Board of Directors staff the fair which supports the theater on Main Street in Waitsfield.
“The Craft Fair is our major source of funding for the year and is vital for the upkeep of our building,” said Board of Directors member Ruth Ann Pattee. “We hope our family of vendors and visitors alike will stop by our information tent as you enter the Fair to learn more about the Valley Players and our upcoming productions.”
A birds-eye view of the Mad River Valley Craft Fair courtesy of Photos by Kintz
Vendors at the fair offer a wide variety of handmade, unique gifts, keepsakes for the home, clothing and more.
Several of the participating artists are from Waterbury and nearby communities including Dorothy Goulet with her original flora paintings from her Art in a Cave studio in Waterbury. Alixandra Klein of Alixandra Barron Designs makes sustainable, elegant, and durable jewelry out of discarded bike tires. Raegan Hough Metalsmith creates unique jewelry from metal and semi-precious stones, some inspired by the Vermont landscape; likewise, Lisa Kilbourn will set up her sculptures under her Lisa’s Creations brand.
From Morrisville, Natalie Carr of Wild Woogs offers unique homemade upcycled fabric art “for the wild at heart”; June Mendell of All That Glitter in Lake Elmore brings sparkling jewelry; and Jason Brunault of Jay’s Woodshop in Johnson will have fun and useful home décor handcrafted from a variety of hardwoods.
Other artists come from all over Vermont and New England.
Madigan Linnane performs at the craft fair. File photo from Photos by Kintz
The schedule includes performances by four bands, a food court and winery, and door prizes.
Music is a big feature of the fair. On Saturday morning the 17-piece “big band” Green Mountain Swing that recently appeared at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival will play classics. On Saturday afternoon, the J.J. Booth Duo from Warren will perform indie rock/pop and alt. country tunes. On Sunday morning, Madigan Linnane will return to play in her modern folk/pop/indie musical style and Sunday afternoon’s artist is the Medicine Tribe featuring Colleen Mari Mays of Warren playing Americana-style covers and original songs.
The Food Court will have a variety of vendors and cuisine from authentic Somali fare to classic hamburgers and hot dogs. Jilib Jiblets from Burlington will bring sambusas, fried chicken, and various rice stews -- both meat and veggie. Dougy Fresh Catering of Barre will be making gyros featuring lamb, beef, chicken and veggies. Rick’s Chuckwagon returns with classic summer American fare and Silver Spring Scoops Ice Cream and Lemonade from Bolton will serve homemade ice cream, sundaes, shakes, and hand-squeezed lemonade (including maple). For the 21+ crowd, North Branch Vineyards from Montpelier have wine by the glass or bottle, canned beer and cocktails for onsite consumption.
Kids offerings include face-painting and the Dinoman Science Show at noon both days, which uses magic, clever explanations and eye-catching props for this interactive science show for all ages. Local scientist Bob Lisaius travels the East Coast sharing his dinosaur wisdom at schools, libraries, and special events.
Throughout both days, door prizes will be announced that will include gifts from many area inns, artists, restaurants and retailers. Craft Fair Manager Laura Arnesen thanks all of the businesses and nonprofits that donate prizes. Anyone wishing to contribute a door prize offering should email Arnesen at laura@madriver.com.
Craft fair attendees are asked to please leave pets at home. For the full list of door prizes, artists, directions, and more information visit madrivercraftfair.com.
Alixandra Barron Designs
All That Glitter earrings by June Mendell