Preparations for State Road Craft Show underway

Ella Drake, Writer

The 47th annual State Road Craft Show will take place on Sunday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door which allows people to shop locally as well as eat food catered by local restaurants such as Beale Street Smokehouse BBQ, La Marsa, Hungry Howies and more.

Local vendors are gearing up to sell their handmade products anywhere from knitted hats to holiday decorations. 

Local Sharlyn Sutton has made it a tradition to attend the show with her family.

“I love going to the craft show every year with my daughters— it’s a great way to bond,” Sutton said. “I always get cute gifts and decorations for the holidays.”

The State Road Craft Show is not only about shopping, but spending quality time with family and friends. 

With approximately 3,000 people attending in 2019–the last traditional show before the COVID-19 pandemic–sellers are expecting a large turn out this year. 

Booths filled with products will line the Auxiliary Gym, Main Gym, cafeteria and hallways of Fenton High. Accommodations allow for over 200 sellers to show off their commodities. 

Former Fenton resident, Cody Elliot travels from Petoskey, Mich. to attend the craft show almost every year. 

“I love seeing all the handmade items,” Elliot said. “It feels so much more supportive to the community to buy stuff there than from big corporations.”

The show not only provides an opportunity for small businesses to showcase their creations, but allows people in the community to have a more personalized experience. 

The show is also a fundraiser for State Road Elementary and brings money in for the school each year.