The Berea-Midpark Craft Show benefitting the performing arts takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 21 and 22
By Patricia Nugent
The Berea-Midpark Craft Show has earned a name for itself over the past 42 years as one of the biggest and best holiday craft shows in Northeast Ohio. “This year we have a variety of more than 200 vendors in four designated zones showcasing crafted items like jewelry, home décor, home goods, clothing, crafts and baked goods,” says Michelle Snyder, who is chairperson for the show. “Gourmet foodies are looking forward to chocolatiers, cookie and cupcake bakers, a gourmet waffle-maker, and a chef who prepares amazing pepperoni and sausage rolls. We only have a handful of well-known direct sale vendors, such as Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Tupperware and LuLaRoe leggings. New this year will be photo booths and selfie stations in each zone for attendees to enjoy.” A diverse and eclectic group of artists makes the show a crowd favorite. “We’re bringing in a ‘pour artist’ who creates paintings in the Jackson Pollock method, as well as someone who creates art by drawing characters on book pages,” she says. “A stained-glass artist, mixed media person and photography artist will also be here.”
Proceeds from each show benefit the Berea-Midpark Performing Arts Boosters. This organization supports the Berea City School District’s choir and drama clubs throughout the year with things like new choir robes and performance and staging equipment. “Because the monies earned benefit the students, they work hard to help the vendors be successful,” she adds. “They run them lunches, get them change, and cover their tables when they need to step away. We’re often told by the vendors it’s what they love about our show the most. We do all this for the kids and their love of the performing arts.”
“We offer such a wide variety of goods,” says Michelle, who notes they expect between 3,000-5,000 people through the doors. “I love being a part of this show, which has become a tradition for many of our attendees. We see families making a day of it. They’re shopping for the holidays, having pulled pork or mac and cheese for lunch in our Craft Show Café, and having fun with the performing art students who volunteer all day. It’s pretty awesome.”
The 42nd Annual Berea-Midpark Craft Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 21-22, at Berea-Midpark Middle School and Sports Center, 7000 Paula Drive in Middleburg Heights. Entrance fee is $2 per person. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information visit BereaMidparkCraftShow.com or like and follow them on Facebook.