聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Homespun - 鈥淭he Biggest Little Craft Show in Saskatchewan鈥� - celebrated its 31st year in Carlyle on Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17. Throughout three decades, Homespun has not only聽 earned a Saskatchewan Tourism Award of Excellence, but has also provided Carlyle with positive publicity and funding for community causes, and has brought thousands of visitors to the southeast corner of the province, providing economic benefit to local businesses.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The two-day event kicked off with a pancake breakfast at the Legion on Saturday and ended with the much-anticipated Supper in the Field, catered by Rylan and Cindy Weir of Manor. Along with visiting over 60 jury-selected artisans booths and food purveyors inside the Carlyle Sports Arena, visitors to Homespun also enjoyed the 15th Annual Quilt Show at the Carlyle Memorial Hall and took in the action at the 14th Annual Bowan Rekken Memorial Moto-X Track Race.聽
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Homespun chairperson Nicole Currie says the show is constantly 鈥渋mproving and evolving,鈥� adding: 鈥淟ast year we offered late-night shopping on the Saturday of Homespun in an effort to accommodate people who have to work that day or have other commitments. It was really well-received and we were happy to offer it this year, too.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 First-time volunteer hostesses Rae-Anne and Myla Faber were happy to be a part of Homespun 2017.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚t's really exciting to be here,鈥� says Rae-Anne. 鈥淲e're thrilled to be here and we hope to be back again next year, too. The vendors and the shoppers seem to all be having a great time here today.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Veteran Homespun vendors Henry and Lorna Harms of Steinbach, Manitoba's Folk Art Treasures made their first visit to Homespun in 1992.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e may have taken a break or two,鈥� says Henry. 鈥淏ut we've been coming here for quite a while now. It's been a really good show for us.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Vendor Verne Nelson of Nipawin agrees, saying: 鈥�(Verne's Woodcraft) has been coming here for a few years now and it's really a good show.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Homespun is more than a craft show, though. Since its inception, the incorporated non-profit organization is operated by a board of directors and welcomes about 4,000 to the event each year.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Although this year's figures were not available at press time, to date, Homespun has donated $101,650 o community causes in the area.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淥f course, none of this would be possible without our board members - Marilyn Brady, Joan Bue, Lauren Hume, Audrey Rasmussen, Jenn Sedor and Tannis Wilson,鈥� says Currie. 鈥淎nd I'd like to thank all of our volunteers. They make Homespun happen by hostessing, working the door, and so much more.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭hey're a tremendous support to us and the exhibitors and they are greatly appreciated,鈥� she adds.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e want to welcome everyone to Homespun and this year, we did it again.鈥�
