The Civic Center and VFW Memorial ice Arena in East Grand Forks were packed on Saturday with talented folks from all over the area selling their craft to a crowd that was more than willing to pay for the unique merchandise for the 42nd Annual East Grand Forks Arts & Crafts Fair.

The ice arenas in EGF were transformed into a showcase of interesting goods, resembling an indoor farmer’s market.

Available goods ranged  from hand made clothing, furniture and home décor to jewelry, holiday decorations and, most importantly, free samples of delicious homemade food.

If you wanted to get a head start on your Christmas shopping, get quality goods for yourself or have a chance to see all of the talent that the Red River Valley has to offer, the 42nd annual Arts and Crafts Fair in East Grand Forks had it all.

The event was not only a great place to find unique and high quality items, but also served as a tribute to the creativity and craftsmanship that so many people are capable of in the region. Most of the sellers are from the surrounding area in both North Dakota and Minnesota.

There really was something for everyone, whether you were artsy, crafty or a foodie. Myron and Jill Halvorson from West Fargo showed their creativity and craftsmanship with their Giddy-Up Cowboy Boot Mirrors and wool mittens. Their mirrors featured a frame made of recycled cowboy boots and mittens made from recycled material. Kimberly, at Kimberly’s Wire Wrapped Expressions gave buyers the option to make their own pearl necklace.

If you came for the food, the fair did not disappoint. The Civic Center Copper Kettle Korn, out of Mandan, N.D., made a big hit as you saw people carrying bags of sweet popcorn through the crowd, crunching on it as they looked at the booths. And no one seemed to be able to pass up Charlotte’s Homemade Lefse, sold by Charlotte Landsen out of Edmore, N.D. While at the VFW, JD’s Salsa in Seconds gathered a crowd as people sampled their spicy and mild salsa and Bloody Mary mix.

Everywhere you turned there were arts and crafts of green and black emulating school spirit. From jewelry to clothing and home décor, the event was a perfect place to get a gift for a UND fan.

The Arts & Crafts council’s mission is to promote original art and crafts work in the East Grand Forks Area.

For the past 41 years, the fair has served as the council’s main fundraiser and raises money to support local artists, sponsor art exhibits, donate supplies to local school’s art and music programs and create scholarships to students majoring in fine arts. Not only does it serve to be a fun and memorable experience for the community, but also supports a great cause, showing the public the value in art of all forms.

Ashley Carlson is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].