Fredericksburg is a city of over 28,000 people in Northeastern Virginia. The city prides itself on its storied history, beautiful landscape, and its personable citizens. In the city and surrounding area, you’ll find numerous outdoor activities, unique shopping opportunities, live entertainment, historical sites, delicious dining and much more. This fun and activity filled city is the ideal location to spend the holidays. The holidays are a time for family, celebration, and the spirit of giving. Few events encompass all of those factors like the Fredericksburg Holiday Craft Fair at the Expo Center.
Entering into its seventh year the fair offers attendees the chance to do all of their shopping in one fun and festive location. No matter how long and varied your Christmas list is, the fair will have you covered. This year they are featuring over 250 vendors who will be selling their high quality handmade items that you won't find anywhere else. A few things you’ll find include paintings, woodwork, holiday items, glasswork, metalwork, pottery, bed and bath products, jewelry and so much more. You’ll even find treats and toys for your pets. The festive atmosphere is great for the entire family, and it's a great way to kick off the holiday season. We got the opportunity to interview Event Representative, David Kerper of the Ballantine Management Group, about the fair.
RAL: Tell me about the event.
DK: The Fredericksburg Holiday Craft Show started seven years ago with 50 booths and a nice crowd. This year we will have over 250 booths of vendors who produce the handmade products that you will see in their booths. It is the perfect place to find unique holiday gifts or holiday decorations that you can not find in the big box stores. The show has gotten so big that the number of days has expanded from two to three.
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
DK: So far we have 250 vendors and we are growing. Some of these vendors have never participated before so we will have new and never seen products coming to the Fredericksburg area. We draw people from all over the surrounding region, but it tends to be mainly women and groups of women who attend.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
DK: Where else can you go to find 250 artisans under one roof that make the products that they are selling? It’s a festive fun atmosphere to shop for holiday products, presents, and decor.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?
DK: Fredericksburg has some great, one of kind B&B’s and establishments scattered throughout the area. Otherwise, the Fredericksburg Expo Center is located next to three quality hotels in the shopping area called “Central Park”, which features over 40 restaurants and about 100 retail stores.
RAL: What does the fair mean to the community?
DK: Since the inception of the Fredericksburg Expo Center, the idea was to provide the area with interesting valuable entertainment options. Over the past 10 years, the community has supported the Expo Center otherwise we would not still be in business. The economic impact of the fair is significant, people will spend money on everything from meals to lodging.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
DK: Fredericksburg is a historical town with so much to do and offer. The Fredericksburg Holiday Craft show is like the icing on the cake for a great day or weekend for anyone traveling to Fredericksburg December 4-6.
For more information on the Fredericksburg Holiday Craft Fair please visit their website.