聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Just around the corner Carlyle will be hosting numerous visitors as this year鈥檚 鈥淏iggest Little Craft Show in Saskatchewan,鈥� Homespun, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20, with new extended hours on the Saturday.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The event attracts between 3,500 and 4,000 people each year.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Homespun was a vision created 29 years ago and has seen success thanks to the board of directors, the rink board, and the vast amount of community volunteers and attendees.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Throughout the years exhibitors have travelled across Canada, coming from provinces and territories to participate. They鈥檝e seen people as far away as Newfoundland take part and although no Maritimers will be making the trek this year, there are numerous attending from the west coast to Ontario.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淔or a small town to attract high quality from Ontario to B.C. is noteworthy,鈥� Judy Riddell, a founder of Homespun, told The Observer last year.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This atmosphere and quality is what brings back vendors and shoppers alike.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淸Homespun is] a smaller, exclusive, more intimate shopping experience that focuses on excellent product, wonderful service, great hometown hospitality in beautiful southeast Saskatchewan,鈥� Riddell explained.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year many wonderful vendors will be back again, while new businesses will also be featured. This is a way to give variety each year to Homespun as they bring in new, interesting items.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year the items range from stained glass, honey, jewelry, cat and dog items, pottery, art, clothing, children鈥檚 games and toys, dolls, personalized signs, belts and buckles, and a variety of food items.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Found at the Carlyle Sports Arena the event is held from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Sunday. Within this Saturday will see a pancake breakfast hosted by the Legion from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Later in the day Supper in the Field awaits from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. as BBQ beef and all the trimmings can be enjoyed.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 During both Saturday and Sunday, the Rink Board has homemade food available in the arena kitchen to enjoy.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 With Homespun having developed over the years, the Annual Homespun Quilt Show has also become a mainstay. It can be found at Carlyle Memorial Hall and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday as well as from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Within the idea of community promotion Homespun has given funds they鈥檝e raised to the Carlyle Leisure Complex, the library, sports arena, Gordon F. Kells High School, Food Bank, Memorial Hall, Museum, Carlyle Elementary School, the golf course, and to Arcola Rink when theirs burnt down a number of years ago and they are not done giving back to the community.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The community is looking forward to the 29th Annual Homespun Show and is continually thankful of those involved with its success. For more information visit www.homespuncanada.ca.
