We got up bright and early and headed out for the Hegins Valley Arts and Crafts Faire. We were greeted by Faire queens who wore sashes. The welcomed us and gave us guides to the faire and pens so we could mark down the vendors we wanted to be sure not to miss. Barb, Jeanine and Sissy come every year and they have their favorites they always look for.
But, first, breakfast!
Eggs, bacon, ham, pancakes, toast, juice and coffee.
Provisioned thusly, we were more suited to napping than shopping, but we set out to see what there was to see. My friends were towing a shopping basket on wheels, so I knew they were planning on shopping. I didn’t need anything, so I was planning on keeping my wallet shut and my hands in my pockets.
It was a beautiful site for a craft fair! There were tents and tables arranged in rows in a beautiful grove of trees.
In addition to the usual crafts, there were baked goods and fruits and vegetables.
My favorite booth at the faire was the broom maker. I could have watched him for an hour! I was tempted to buy one of his brooms, but I didn’t.
Three reasons:
- I already have a broom.
- Those good brooms need to be hung up. I didn’t want to try to figure that out.
- I am cheap. (Well, cheapish.)
But, it was fun to watch him work and see the tools and materials he uses.
Another stand that fascinated me was the soup stand. I’d never been to a fair where soup was a big seller. Maybe it’s a regional thing.
Strong men stand and stir steaming cauldrons of soup. Come to think of it, I could watch that for a while, too.
The amazing thing was that the soup was cooked over wood fires!
Speaking of the old-fashioned way of doing things, they have a playground with the kind of equipment I remember from my childhood.
Fun! And I guess they must not be litigious in that part of Pennsylvania. When I first saw the toys, I mentally gasped. Too many years of teaching, I guess. I still look for the hazards in areas with children. I’m glad I’m not responsible for them anymore – at least not in a way that I could be sued myself.
When we had seen and bought all that we had come for, it was time for one last stop.
That afternoon, we ate in a restaurant that is a favorite of Barb, Sissy and Jeanine. And, I liked it too.
The portions were huge! Look at the bags in their hands with the leftover containers. Jeanine went back to New Jersey and we went home.
The next day, it was time to hitch up and head out.
Next stop, Lancaster!