The Bluffton Arts & Crafts Festival, a long-standing tradition in downtown Bluffton, has been adopted by Blended Roots, a shop that features local artists, crafters and makers at 246 Cherry Street. Manager Katelyn Gainok is seeking 40 vendors, live music and food vendors/trucks for the June 4 festival, which will take place at and around the consignment shop, which is in the former Riley Creek Mercantile building.

An annual event hosted for more than 30 years by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and directed by the now retired Jerry Burkholder, the festival took a pandemic break. 

For 2022, Blended Roots is taking the reins and will provide a re-energized venue for artists and crafters. Gainok explains, "Blended Roots wants to keep this festival alive. It has been a part of Bluffton for so long. Everyone enjoys either being a vendor or a customer. If anyone is interested in helping with the Festival--posting flyers, spreading the word, becoming a vendor--please feel free to reach out to me."

A new feature of the festival will be a partnership with Habitat for Humanity ReStore of Lima, 550 W. Elm. The nonprofit sells reusable and surplus building materials, furniture and home goods. ReStore will have a truck for dropoff of donations and customer Upcycle-Recycle contest where festival visitors will vote for the most-improved entry. To participate, contact Caleb Farmer at the ReStore.

Now is the best time for vendors to register for a 10x15-foot booth space. Vendors can save $20 with early bird registration: 

$40 with contract turned in and paid by May 2nd
$60 May 3-14

For more information or to register, email [email protected] or call (567) 226-1099.