AMHERST – A long-running crafts fair that supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County will be held Saturday on the Town Common, two weeks earlier than its traditional date.
The decision to move the 36-year-old Amherst Crafts on the Common to the last Saturday in June, from the second Saturday in July, was prompted by competition from the growing popularity of the concerts in Greenfield the same weekend, said Kate Lockhart, development director for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“We felt that we needed to change the date permanently to the last Saturday of June in order to not compete with Green River Festival,” Lockhart said.
Lockhart added that a survey of the community and artisans showed support for changing the date.
Other than the date, the event will keep many of the traditions in place, including having more than 100 artisans from throughout New England set up to sell hand-made jewelry, ceramics and furniture.
“Once again, we are looking forward to transforming the common into an artisan festival with music, food, beautiful crafts and lots of children’s activities,” Renee Moss, program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, said in a statement.
A children’s book sale featuring more than 6,000 books, organized by children’s book author and illustrator Diane deGroat, and a silent auction, will coincide with the craft sale.
Food will be sold on site by Atkins Farms Country Market and Flayvors of Cook Farm, with music performed by Stewart James and the Memphis Flyers, Lisa Martin, Eva Capelli, Eli Catlin and Nick Viceroy, among others.
Children can have their faces painted and jump on inflatables.
No admission is charged and the event will be held rain or shine.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
