TheSyracuse Peace Councilis hoping community members will do some holiday shopping at a city high school this weekend, rather than the big box stores.
The 44th annual Plowshares Crafts-Fairis more than just a venue of homemade goods; it brings together a community of old friends and new faces. Peace Council Volunteer Rae Kramer says the event always has a noticeable spirit, and to keep that spirit alive,the size of the show will stay the same.
"For us, bigger is not necessarily better. And we've made kind of a commitment to that, that the experience should be one that doesn't feel commercial and frantic and corporate. That it's much more down-home, much more personal and immediate. That can only be done by limiting the size and the quality of the crafts provided."
After submitting pictures of the proposed items and booth space, 120 craftspeople and community groups were selected for this weekend’s event. Kramer says it’s important that each item sold reflects the values and philosophies of the Peace Council.
"We would not welcome someone who is selling toy guns, even if they were made out wood and very artistically done. That we encourage someone, for example, if someone who is selling homemade dolls, that they show a diversity of ethnicities."
The fair will also have entertainment, raffle prizes, silent auctions and prepared food provided by The Missionrestaurant. The multi-cultural crafts fair is the Peace Council’s biggest fundraising event of the year.
The Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday at Nottingham High school. Anyone over 65 years old or under 16 are invited in for free.