THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9411160112
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
It's that time again - the official start of the Christmas season in Chesapeake.
Now in its 23rd year, the annual Indian River Christmas Craft Show has become the traditional kick-off of the local yuletide season.
``It's the granddaddy of all Christmas craft shows,'' said Kenny Stuart, a recreation specialist with the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department, who has been coordinating the event for the last 10 years.
This year's edition takes place this weekend at Indian River High School.
The show was started more than two decades ago by Alice Folden, a former member of the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department's advisory board. It has grown from humble beginnings as a senior citizens program at the South Norfolk Armory. The show moved into the Indian River Community Center to handle the growing crowds and finally moved into its new home at Indian River High School.
``It's elbow-to-elbow at peak times,'' Stuart said.
He said the event appeals on two levels: as a community gathering, where Chesapeake residents come to see one another and swap news and gossip, and as an official kickoff for Christmas shopping, where people can purchase unusual holiday decorative items and one-of-a-kind gift items, all hand-made and created by artisans from Chesapeake and beyond.
``This is where old friends and neighbors can see each other and see how they're doing,'' he said. ``When you walk in, even the smell is soothing and reminds one of the holidays. You smell wood, spices, bayberry, food and other festive aromas and - boom! - it puts you in the Christmas mood.''
Stuart said the show will feature 83 exhibitors from Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News and out-of-state who will offer an array of creations including wooden toys, yard displays, figurines, decorations, country crafts, stained glass, ceramics, jewelry, floral/wreaths, fabric/needlework and other specialty items.
``You'll be able to see all kinds of country and wood crafts and other homemade creations,'' he added.
There will be no items mass produced or made from kits. Everything at the show will be hand-made, carefully screened by a panel of judges recruited from the arts community, Stuart said.
``You'll be able to see grandma's quilt at the show,'' Stuart said, ``along with many, many other unique crafts and items.''
Just a few of the artisans featured at this year's show are Bert Barry, who creates hand-made dulcimers; Alfredo Josue, who fashions unusual wildlife carvings out of driftwood; Tammy Evans, who makes her own baskets and wreaths and whose work has been featured in Country Homes magazine; and George and Diane Garris, who make detailed holiday figurines out of pecan resin.
``We had 150 crafters apply,'' he said. ``They submit slides of their work, and the judges look at all the submissions, eventually choosing a variety of people who offer good quality crafts and items. Our intense screening process provides this show a high level of quality, and we try to honor these crafts-people by passing out cash awards and ribbons for the best works in the show.''
Stuart said a separate panel of judges, who are local artisans, will choose first, second, third place and honorable mention winners. The crowd will be able to pick out its own favorites by voting for the ``People's Choice Award,'' which can be done using a ballot available at the show's information booth.
Suggestions and comments from the exhibiting crafters help the show improve from year to year, Stuart said.
``We take each of their suggestions seriously,'' he said. ``We listen to all their comments about hours, displays and anything else. We use their feedback to make this show better each year. The crafters love our show. Some of them can generate several thousand dollars in sales over the two days.''
While mom and dad browse and shop, children will be entertained by visits from Santa. The entire family will be able to satisfy its appetite thanks to a variety of snack and lunch foods served by the Chesapeake Cafeteria Managers Association.
``This is a true Chesapeake community event that usually means Christmas to the city,'' Stuart said. ``People can come here and find those unique gifts and decorations not easily found in any mall.'' ILLUSTRATION: CHRISTMAS KICK-OFF
What: The 23rd annual Indian River Christmas Craft Show.
Who: Sponsored by the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation
Department.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission
is free.
Where: Indian River High School, 2301 Dunbarton Drive.
Call: For more information, call 436-8466.
by CNB