 Eddie Price in period costume with his first novel "Widder's Landing" 2012 Arts Fair: Best Ever
A Little Something for Everyone…
(Clinton, Kentucky Dec. 3, 2012) - On December 1, 2012 our Hickman County Arts Council reached out to the community and brought in visitors from the entire western Kentucky region for a great Christmas experience. There were visitors from as far as Jackson, Tennessee and Marion, Illinois as well. The 8th Annual Books, Crafts and Arts Fair was held at the Hickman County Elementary School gym, where artists, writers and craftspeople gathered to show off their talents whether it was hand-made wooden toys or home-made Christmas cards and ornaments. There was literally something for everyone. This was the place to go for all your shopping needs.
Early Saturday morning, over 50 vendors arrived fully supplied and motivated to sell their products, setting them up in interesting ways for shoppers to view. Over 700 customers showed up within the six hour event. Many vendors were very successful in sales. A few, like peanut brittle seller Joan Lacewell, even sold completely out!
Writer Eddie Price, who drove down very early Saturday morning from Hawesville near Owensboro, to sell his 1812 novel “Widder’s Landing” pronounced the show “the best ever,” volunteering to return to give a presentation on the history his book draws on.
Author Berry Craig, stated that he experienced great sales on his Civil War books. Craig is a contributing writer to this Journal with weekly Kentucky Civil War history essays.
As a door-prize, Danny Whitlock donated a piece of his fine pottery to be given away in a drawing. Hickman Countian Richard Radford won the pottery and were very pleased with Mr. Whitlock’s work.
With th e help of the Arts Council and the Hickman County Leadership students, Jonathan Gore, Audrey Jenkins, Amanda Blalock, Cannon Ferguson, Chenise Thomas, and Kayla Ferguson, the event went smoothly and was very delightful.
What wasn’t to enjoy? There was a live band keeping everyone’s spirits high with Christmas jingles and children got to make ornaments on stage while their parents shopped below. Not to forget the great food that was served at an even greater price. Bowls of soups and sandwiches, desserts and drinks were sold out before the end of the day. Sales figures this year were a 100% increase over last year.
Though parking was a challenge, it was definitely worth the time to find a spot.
The primary reason why this year particularly was more successful was due to two factors: over 50 volunteers from the community stepped forward to help the Arts Council, and an innovative direct marketing strategy was used to invite over 10,000 residents of West Kentucky to the event. This strategy included direct marketing into 21 communities beyond Hickman County within a 25 mile radius of Clinton.
With each Art Fair, it is becoming more evident that Hickman County is the place to be in early winter months for tourism. With the Civil War Days in October and the Arts Fair and the Christmas Parade of Lights being held in the first Saturday in December, Hickman County is becoming a major tourism destination for West Kentucky and West Tennessee.
All in all, it was a very eventful day in our small town and it was a splendid way to get a leap on those hard-to-find gifts for those hard-to-buy-for people. Assuming that next year will be just as impressive as this one, visitors are encouraged to mark their calendars for Saturday, December 7, 2013 now.
There will be a little something for everyone.
Friends of Hickman County Arts, a nonprofit support group, organizes the Fair each year. Funds raised are donated to the Hickman County Arts Council. In 2012, the Council sponsored a performance of "Romeo and Juliet" for students, two concerts and music writing workshops, jam sessions, an adult poetry group, displayed photography and art locally, conducted writng activities and a poetry contest for 8th graders, scholarships, beautification projects and a leadership program for high school students.
The Hickman County Arts Council, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax deductible organization. To make a donation or join the Council, email editor@westkyjournal.com |
