Blended Roots of Bluffton, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity-Allen County Restore, has adopted the Bluffton Arts and Crafts Festival which was formerly a program of the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. Prior to the pandemic, the event was held in Bluffton for 48 years, making it one of the longest running art festivals in Ohio.
According to organizer Katelyn Gainok, this year's event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at a new location at 246 Cherry St., Bluffton. Gainok is the manager of Blended Roots and is working with a festival committee of Sheena Dotson, Blended Roots owner, Julia Keiser, Blended Roots marketing and Pat Rodabaugh, festival consultant.
The festival will offer shoppers quality handmade items from a wide variety of artisans, musical entertainment and delicious edibles from several food trucks.
There will be crafting opportunities and face painting for children. The new venue has plenty of parking to accommodate customers.
UPCYCLE RECYCLE CONTEST
Caleb Farmer of The Restore of Lima will hold an "Upcycle Recycle Contest" and prizes will be awarded at the show. Entries in the contest will be auctioned to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. (See attached flyer below)
FODD AND MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS
Vendors from all over the state will offer their wares on and around the grounds of Blended Roots. Parts of Cherry Street and Railroad Street will be closed off to accommodate the vendor booths and food trucks. From 10:00-11:00 a.m. Ron Bowerman will present Native American flute music followed by Charlie Saylor and The Usual Suspects, offering acoustic classic rock from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Hungry shoppers can enjoy tacos and Mexican food from Taco Fiesta Hinojosa or snack on glazed nuts from Double D's Nuts. Jay Lugibihl will offer delicious homemade ice cream and Dawn Shafer will have smoked meats available from her food truck.
Artisans offering other types of food products will also be on hand. Alex Arnos will offer honey and honey products from Arnos Apiaries. The Mustached Honey Bee owned by Ty Shelby will also have honey and honey products for sale. Angie Lorenz of Garden Thyme, LLC will offer cottage food items along with her bath/body products.
DEMONSTRATIONS AND VENDORS
Becky Dotson of Family Candle will demonstrate wax art candle making inside the store, while Denise Adams of Willow and Wax will sell candles, tumblers and apparel outside. Ron Bowerman will present wood carving demonstrations and local artist Joellen Lehman of Folly Faces LLC will do face painting for youngsters.
A number of vendors will sell home decor and woodcrafts: MD Home Accents, Boldman Woodworks, Rick Giese, Eva Holbrook, Caryn Johnson, Eight Nine Designs, 1 Creative Direction and 3 Oaks.
Artisans selling sewn items, bath and body products and jewelry are also widely represented: C-Squared Sewing, Hand and Home Co., Lisa's Homespun, Rustic Bendz, Nana's Keep It Natural, Sew What Sisters, Azure's Amazing $5 Addiction, Merrill Marie Soapworks, Kat Luginbuhl Designs, Vintage Sisterhood Co., 2nd Chances by Mary, Devine Designs ,Creative Crafts and Butterfly Ink.
Pottery and gnomes are available from Linda Renee' Pottery and Sara's Crafting. Handmade dog accessories are offered by Pearl and Gi Designs and photography by Picture Me This.
VILLAGE OF BLUFFTON BOOTH
The Village of Bluffton will have a booth set up for a meet and greet with village officials who want to welcome vendors and shoppers alike to enjoy all that is offered at this year's arts and crafts show.
LOCATION
The festival is three minutes from I-75 using exits 140 and 142. Parking lots are available off of St. Rt. 103 and College Avenue. Anyone with questions can contact Gainok at Blended Roots: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call (567) 226-1099 or email [email protected].
