The Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival is now on its 47th heart stopping year, and is now ranked among the 20 Best Classical and Contemporary craft show in all of the United States. It has always been held in the first weekend of August; last year, it went from July 31st until August 3rd. It features around 350 craftspeople on average, in a marketplace that is located around the farm's pond.
The event features 12 different categories for artists to choose from, and a total of over $10,000 in cash prizes are awarded to the winners of the show. I did not have the luck of the Irish that time, and did not win any of the major awards. But it was okay; I was able to sell enough of my wares, and it's always fun to have a chance to talk to the crowd.
The festival began way back in 1962 near the Pletcher Furniture Village in downtown Nappanee. Originally, it was part of the sidewalk days celebration. During this time, watercolors painted the local kids in the summer arts program in the park department's program are hung out on clotheslines between the pillars of the store. This simple activity somehow began to spread to include various craftspeople and other artists. The Pletcher family then founded the Amish Acres a few years after, and the new festival was eventually moved to the farm in 1971.
Now, let's get back to the happenings of the festival after this quick history lesson, shall we? With a few of my friends (you do tend to make them after being in a few shows), I went to the Amish Acres and I was not disappointed. The sales themselves weren't as high as I wanted, no doubt due to the recession, but it was fine. They were good enough. I was thankful that this wasn't my primary source of income.
So, if you think you have the talent to become part of the Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival, swallow all your trepidations and join us! Have a blast with friendly competitions and booth selling!
The event features 12 different categories for artists to choose from, and a total of over $10,000 in cash prizes are awarded to the winners of the show. I did not have the luck of the Irish that time, and did not win any of the major awards. But it was okay; I was able to sell enough of my wares, and it's always fun to have a chance to talk to the crowd.
The festival began way back in 1962 near the Pletcher Furniture Village in downtown Nappanee. Originally, it was part of the sidewalk days celebration. During this time, watercolors painted the local kids in the summer arts program in the park department's program are hung out on clotheslines between the pillars of the store. This simple activity somehow began to spread to include various craftspeople and other artists. The Pletcher family then founded the Amish Acres a few years after, and the new festival was eventually moved to the farm in 1971.
Now, let's get back to the happenings of the festival after this quick history lesson, shall we? With a few of my friends (you do tend to make them after being in a few shows), I went to the Amish Acres and I was not disappointed. The sales themselves weren't as high as I wanted, no doubt due to the recession, but it was fine. They were good enough. I was thankful that this wasn't my primary source of income.
So, if you think you have the talent to become part of the Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival, swallow all your trepidations and join us! Have a blast with friendly competitions and booth selling!
About the Author:
As a craftsperson, you should always be aware of the schedule of Craft Shows located close to your area. Visit Craft Fairs regularly, and do well in your business like Rick Amorey!
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