Marion County will turn into an arts and crafts mecca this weekend with traditional events in both Hillsboro and Marion.

Hillsboro

The 55th annual Arts and Crafts Fair will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Hillsboro’s Main St. Attendance is free.

The fair typically draws around 300 vendors and as many as an estimated 40,000 visitors from around the country — a massive number for a city whose typical population is less than 2,800.

Vendors must apply to be featured through an exclusive selection process that begins months before the fair. Every item sold is required to be homemade.

Songs from “Guys and Dolls” will be performed during lunch by Tabor Musical Theater on E. Grand Ave.

The fair also will feature a wide variety of food. 21 sanctioned vendors have been selected.

Pulled pork nachos, boba tea, Indian tacos, and bierocks represent just a few of the items to be offered.

Marion

The 46th annual Art in the Park & Craft Show will be held Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Marion’s Central Park. Attendance is free.

The event will be smaller and have a more laid-back atmosphere than its counterpart in Hillsboro, but there will be no shortage of food and art vendors.

“It’s going to be the biggest show we’ve had in several years,” community enrichment director Margo Yates said.

About 150 vendors are expected to attend.

“We have lots of variety, different food choices coming in. It’s a little something for everybody,” Yates said.

Yates has just one concern about this year’s show.

“I just need it not to rain,” she said. Although forecasts call for some showers, Yates is “hoping they’re wrong.”

The event will go ahead whatever the weather over the weekend. “We can’t cancel it, and we can’t reschedule it,” Yates said. She also promised fun no matter the conditions. “It’s never been a total washout,” she said.