Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 11, 1994 TAG: 9411110021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DAN FERRANTE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The show will be held Nov. 11-13 in Squires Student Center.
This year is the 25th anniversary of the fair. It began in 1969 primarily due to the hard work of Emily Stuart, the Blacksburg YMCA's former director.
Stuart said the idea of a crafts fair in Blacksburg came to her because she had observed how successful they were in other small towns around the country, and she knew that a fair in the area could bring in needed revenue to the YMCA as well as the local community.
The first fair was held in the old ballroom of Squires Center. At that time, many of the local artists and musical groups, such as No Strings Attached, were just starting out. This group has since become one of the more popular musical attractions around the New River Valley.
``Many of the original participants have come back and told me that if it wasn't for the crafts fair, they probably wouldn't have made it to where they did,'' Stuart said. ``It has been a lot of fun to watch it grow throughout the years.''
Stuart has noticed many changes in the fair, especially in the amount of participation and help people give when it comes to running it. Stuart said many of Virginia Tech's architecture students help make the cases and frames that hold the exhibits.
``It's like a community party, and when everyone helps to put it on it becomes a big occasion'' she said. ``It has definitely become more sophisticated over the years.''
This year, the fair has 103 crafts booths set up along with more than 20 new exhibitors from all over Western Virginia and North Carolina. The exhibits include a wide range of crafts such as leather accessories and homemade jewelry. There will also be musical and dance performances.
Acts include crafts fair originals No Strings Attached; Skeeter and the Skidmarks, which features long-time fair participant Willard Gayheart; The Uncalled Four Quartet; and Cabin Fever Blues. The performances will be put on every hour on the hour, and each will run approximately 50 minutes. There will also be a cafe set up outside of the fair with baked goods from Our Daily Bread.
The fair will be held in Squires Ballroom on the second floor of Squires Student Center and will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission will be $1 to benefit the Blacksburg YMCA community service programs. Admission is free for Tech students with proper identification.
by CNB