ARCOLA - Arcola’s Prairie Place Complex was a hopping place on Sept. 17 for the Arcola Craft and Trade Show.
The excitement began the day before as vendor’s began to set up for the big show.
Early the morning of the 17th, it continued with vendors arriving to get their displays ready for the 10 a.m. opening.
Over 70 vendors were booked for the craft and trade show, with all the tables filled.
As vendors began to unload their items, the Grade 12 students from Arcola School were on hand to help.
Janine Houston is the graduate advisor and the learning support teacher at the school. Houston had 15 students helping.
According to the vendors, it was great to have the extra hands and it made for a quicker setup and teardown at the end of the day. They also served coffee to all the vendors throughout the day.
From the time the doors opened, a steady crowd could be seen. From strollers to walkers, all ages had a chance to browse the items on display.
With the event on the rink floor, it started out cool, but as the visitors started flooding in, so did the warmth.
There was a lot to choose from. Tradespeople supplied Tupperware, Scentsy, Thirty-one, oils, diamond paint art, jewelry and clothing.
Craftspeople offered baked goods, handmade wallets, soaps, preserves, wreaths, signs, pebble art, toques and bead bracelets.
The abundance of items kept guests wandering up and down the aisles.
A luncheon of homemade soups and sandwiches was readily available throughout the day, provided by the school community council at Arcola School.
The one-day show kept its doors open until 5 p.m.
According to Gwen Taylor, organizer of the event, around 1,200 people passed through the doors. This does not include children under the age of 12, as they are admitted free.
She was overwhelmed with how well it went.
“It was a great overall success,” Taylor said. “Our Grade 12s did an amazing job.”
