Arts and Crafts draws 60,000 years ago
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
It was only 11:30, but Wichita residents Kelly Watkins, Tammy Johnson, and Sandy Hammitt had already filled a three-foot tall metal cart with their purchases from that morning.
And they were just getting started.
The three women joined a record crowd of 60,000 who jammed Hillsboro streets Saturday for the 34th annual Arts and Crafts Fair.
A nearly cloudless blue sky made for perfect weather conditions as patrons roamed exhibitors' booths. Everything from oak furniture to candles to bubble-blowing contraptions were for sale at the event.
For Hammitt, T-shirts and wooden fish are some of her favorites. This is the seventh year that Hammitt and her two daughters have attended the fair.
Some items you didn't have to go far for — like wooden shelves, candles, or anything with a K-State logo.
Stationed in front of City Hall, however, was a newcomer to the fair: Flatware Designs, run by Carol McMillin of Kansas City.
McMillin and her husband take spoons and forks — ordinary flatware — and fashion the eating utensils into jewelry, watches, candle holders, and artwork.
They've been working with flatware for about two years, but this is their first at the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair, McMillin said. They heard about it through a friend who owns a farm near Lincolnville.
The couple came into town Friday evening and set up their tables. Saturday morning, they brought out the merchandise.
"It's been fun," McMillin said.
With the record crowds and the excellent weather, the fair was a definite success, said Marcella Mohn, treasurer and assistant director of the Arts and Crafts Association.
The 60,000 tally came from Police Chief Dan Kinning, who was able to judge the number of people based on cars.
"We really didn't expect that many (people)," she said.
Although the final figures aren't in yet, sales from this year's exhibitors should equal or exceed last year's totals, Mohn said. She declined to release the dollar amount.
Exhibitor's also greatly appreciated with the early setup opportunity.
"Our vendors were very happy to set up Friday evening," Mohn said.
But whether they set up their booths Friday evening or came out early Saturday, everyone was there to meet the heaviest crowds that came between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Mohn said.
Mohn commended this year's fair director, Donna Diener, for all her hard work. She also expressed appreciation for the numerous volunteers involved in the event.
Volunteers were everywhere: marking streets Friday evening, helping vendors find their stations, directing traffic, manning the information booth, putting up signs. There were too many volunteer groups to name, Mohn said.
Local police who are normally off on Saturdays also worked a little overtime. They joined some extra help in police officers from Newton, McPherson, Marion, and Canton.
And always ever-present were the teen-agers from the Hillsboro High School Spirit N Celebration and band.
You may remember them — they were the ones wheeling the Dumpsters through the masses of people.
"They do a big job with trash collection," Mohn said.
Now that Sept. 21 is over, it's time to finish up a few details — then head right into planning next year's Arts and Crafts.
"It's a 12-month thing," Mohn said.
