Park setting draws thousands for annual craft show
Organizers deem 26th annual craft show 'a success'
Staff writer
Potential customers had to squeeze in tight in order to see Ed Midyett demonstrate the kitchen wizardry of his "Country Cutter."
Those gathered around — about two rows thick — watched as Midyett held a bottle of garlic vertical, pouring the powder into an egg batter. He quipped that "the amount" of garlic didn't matter. Later, he dredged potatoes — already pre-sliced with the cutter.
Midyett, of El Dorado, Ark., was one of 230 to 235 exhibitors attending the 26th annual Art in the Park and Craft Show Saturday in Central Park.
"The people we talked to as they were loading up all said they had a good day," said Art in the Park chairman Judy Christensen.
"One lady who sold lifelike dolls told us she sold out last year. And sold out this year too," Christensen added.
Visiting with exhibitors in the park, they expressed satisfaction with the Marion show.
"We come here every year. It's awesome," said R.J. Bowling of the Exquisite Gourmet Gift and Floral in Newton. "We end up sending tons of mailers to the people who sign up here."
Most of those standing in line said, "Mmm, good," as they sampled key lime dip and other unique flavors.
Rick and Bev Trouslot of Bunkhouse Art in Walton said it was their third or fourth year to attend the annual Marion event. Their booth offered framed western art.
"We do well enough," Rick Trouslot aid. "We cater more to western life. But we like the atmosphere here in the park and you have plenty of people who come through."
Charles and Pat Banks of Sweeties Kettle Corn of Topeka kept busy telling jokes with customers and popping corn.
"This is our seventh or eighth year here. We really like Marion," Charles Banks said with a smile. "We come back every year."
The day also was good for first time vendors, RoJean Loucks of Salina and Greg Tompkins of Newton.
Loucks said the atmosphere in the park was "perfect" as she strummed her harp. She performs for weddings, memorial services, does therapeutic harping for Hospice, and gives lessons.
"I enjoy playing out here in the park," Loucks said. "I started on the harp about a year ago. I enjoy passing on what I've learned to other people."
Tompkins caught the attention of passers-by by turning wood on a lathe. "It's my first time here," he said. "It's been nice all day."
Although temperatures climbed into the upper 80s and lower 90s in the afternoon hours, it really wasn't an issue in the shaded park.
"Most of our vendors have canopies and the breeze helped make it just right," Christensen recalled.
"It was only really warm for a couple of hours," she added.
Christensen along with Margo Yates, Marion Chamber of Commerce executive director, and other members of the Art in the Park committee felt this year's event "went over well."
"We had a good crowd all day long. It seemed like there was never a lull," Christensen said. "And after lunch, the crowd switches. People who were in Hillsboro in the morning come to Marion in the afternoon."
Although six vendors did not attend, exhibitor numbers were still up over last year.
"We had about five more than last year," Christensen explained. "We try to keep it somewhere between 230 and 235. That's about all the park can accommodate comfortably."
Christensen said they have no way of knowing how many visitors were in attendance, but believed the numbers amounted to "several thousand."
Entertainer Michael Harber of Hillsboro performed his mix of catchy favorites from the gazebo while interacting with the audience.
The big blue and white striped tent was busy much of the day as tired shoppers stopped for a bite to eat from one of the many foods booths which reported "brisk" business.
Christensen expressed appreciation to the many volunteers who "made the project work." Approximately 25 people, plus the Boy Scouts, served as volunteers.
"We really appreciate all the help we get from our volunteers. There's no way we could pull this off without them," Christensen said. "They park cars, direct traffic, help in the information booth. In fact, the whole community reaches out and helps."
Included in that group are people doing "community service" work, she said. "They were busy three days beforehand getting the park ready."
Christensen has special words of praise for the Boy Scouts.
"I think we're the only art fair in the state that has the Boy Scouts help," she said. "They come in Friday night as soon as they get out of school and help vendors with the unloading. Then they help load up Saturday night — they were still there at 8:30 p.m.!"
Planning already is underway for next year's event, Christensen said. A wrap-up and pre-planning meeting is scheduled for tonight (Wednesday).
