By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Six blocks of downtown Hillsboro were so crowded with arts and crafts shoppers Saturday that it was hard to navigate.

Many of the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair’s shoppers, eager to make sure they had enough room to carry purchases, pulled carts or pushed wagons filled with found treasures.

James Bacon of Wellington waited for his wife, Cathy, at the south end of the fair, next to a shopping basket. He and his wife come to the fair every year, Bacon said.

Vendors, lining the middle and sides of streets, sold everything imaginable.

Kristi Lay of Coffeyville runs LB Country Lighting. She sold an assortment of lawn ornaments on wooden stands, figurines and lights.

She has exhibited at Hillsboro Arts and Crafts fair for 11 years, Lay said as she greeted customers both old and new.

Other vendors, such as Pleasant 7 Farms of Hartford, made their first visits to Hillsboro.

The booth specialized in lavender products and dried lavender stems. Bath products such as bath salt, sugar scrubs, carpet refresher, lavender scented play-doh, and cool therapy packs were among the items for sale.

This was the third year the couple has grown lavender, vendor Brad Heath said.

“We have about 400 plants,” he said.

Heath’s tent was held in place by weighted fishing boots.

Brewster resident Mandy Quenzer, who runs Mandy June Candle Co., makes soy candles and wax melts.

She did a brisk business Saturday, with customers picking and choosing from a broad array of scents.

“I started this because regular candles give me headaches,” Quenzer said. “This is my first time here. One of my friends has set up for several years, and I’ve heard a lot about it.”

Vendors sold soaps, food, hand-painted attire of all themes, car coasters, plaques, silk flowers, wreaths, steak rubs, holiday items, flavored coffee, wood carvings, crocheted apparel, jewelry, fudge, canvas bags, ornaments, home and yard décor, spice blends, honey, art, bath products, and a plethora of other items.