MONSON – The Monson Arts Council will be having their Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Nov. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There is no charge for the public to attend. The fair will feature 70-plus artisans in four buildings within a short walking distance offering a wide variety of gifts, decorations and collectibles, including stained glass, pottery, bath products, books, candles, clothing, holiday decorations, jewelry, quilts, soft sculpture, hand crafted greeting cards and much more. The buildings are Memorial Hall, the United Methodist Church, the Universalist Church and the House of Art. A luncheon will be served in the Methodist Church and Memorial Hall.

“This is our 43rd year,” said Craft Fair Coordinator Chase Barnett. “We’re hoping that it’s going to be a success with a large turnout from the public to come support our crafters. This craft fair is a big part of the town, and the town loves it.” She continued, “When we didn’t have a fair in 2020, it was sadly missed. When I went around to the businesses in town to hand out the flyers for the 2021 fair, they were very supportive that we are bringing the fair back and the crafters were very enthusiastic.”

The Monson Arts Council (MAC) is a nonprofit organization of volunteers promoting art in the community including visual arts, craft fair, theater productions and workshops, art camp, concerts and performing arts like bands and choirs. It was established 42 years ago by Secretary of MAC Board & Art Show Committee Maureen Solomon, Vice President Reed Coles, Phyllis Hull, the late Grace Makepeace, and several others. The proceeds from this fair will go towards the Monson Arts Council, United Methodist Church and the Unitarian Universalist Parish of Monson.

The idea for the Holiday Craft Fair came from Grace Makepeace, Russell Bressette, Mary Bogats and Carole Bressette. They wanted to bring a fair into Monson where everyone could get quality, crafted items at a reasonable price. They decided to have a crafted juror show at the town hall, inviting the Boys and Girls Scouts as well as other organizations in town. It was an instant success and from there they had the Holiday Craft Fair every year.

This fair is featuring only hand-crafted items, which Barnett said makes them unique and sets them apart from other fairs. Returning crafters include Pegg Dragon of DragonFiredJewelry and Sculpture, Kelly Tardy of Pallets & Pinkie Promises, Christopher Lyons of Glass Visions, Erica Goss, Bill Partelo, Gail Modugno, Anita Pigeon and Cynthia Greene; along with new crafters such as Jenny Aleksi, MaryAnn Fabrycki, Ann Mullen, Cynthia Ruggere and Mason Sheffield.

At 4 p.m. on Nov. 27 the Girl Scouts will start singing Christmas Carols in front of Memorial Hall until around 4:30 p.m. when Santa will arrive on a fire truck as the town of Monson turns on their Christmas lights for the season. Children can all go down to the Fire Station for cookies and cocoa and meet Santa. “We get a lot of support from the town, and they want to see it happen,” Barnett said. “It’s really a community event for a small town that everybody looks forward to if they haven’t started their Christmas shopping to find something unique for their Christmas gifts.”

For information or directions, contact Chase Barnett at 218-0693 or email the Craft Fair Committee at craftfair@monsonartscouncil.org.