Annual craft show supports artisans, scholarships and welfare programs Published Oct. 26, 2006 By Susan E. Walls 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- If you're running behind with your Christmas shopping this year, then the Dover Air Force Base Officer's Spouses Club has got a great deal for you. The 21st Annual Dover OSC Craft Show will showcase more than 200 vendors selling their handmade gift ideas. One of the largest single-day craft shows on the Eastern Seaboard is set for Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Delaware State Fair Grounds in Harrington. The event is open to the public with free parking, and admission is $3 for adults and free for children 12 and under. The craft show will feature only handmade items including jewelry, leather goods, holiday decorations, original artwork, baskets, candles, ceramics, clothing, dolls, floral arrangements and woodwork items. Crafters are selected through a careful application and selection process by a panel of 12 judges. The process guarantees the integrity of the show and requires crafters to provide a raw materials list invoice or receipt to ensure the creations did not come from a kit and were not commercially made. The show has grown from its humble beginning in 1986, to a craft event that many enthusiasts plan their vacations around. "Our craft show is one of the largest in the Delmarva region," said Tammy Cox, publicity chair for this year's event. "This year we have more than 200 vendors scheduled to attend." All of the crafter booths will be housed in the fair grounds' Kent Building and Schabinger Pavilion. "Both venues at the fairgrounds are covered, so the show is held rain or shine," said Lori Heinrich, chairperson for the craft show. The cost for items available will range from a few dollars to a couple of hundred dollars, said Ms. Heinrich. Food and beverages will be served in the climate-controlled enclosed Dover Building and will be open for the entire show. Food vendors are all non-profit organizations and consist almost entirely of base booster clubs. The OSC Craft Show committee has made sure that each group will serve something different to maintain a wide variety of cuisine. Nearly a dozen food vendors will serve a variety of foods including breakfast sandwiches for early birds. "Each of the food booths provides an opportunity for units to earn money to fund programs within their unit for the entire upcoming year," said Carla Murphy, food court chairperson. Funds raised pay for a variety of extras such as squadron picnics, retirements and flowers, or charity donations. The annual Craft Show is the primary fundraiser for the Dover Officer's Spouses Club. Last year, the Dover OSC awarded a total of $21,600 in scholarship money to military families and an additional $8,200 was given to support many Dover AFB organizations such as the base schools, security forces, family services and Key Family Member Program. The club returned $4,000 to the local community through charitable donations and $13,400 was donated to the state and national level to organizations, such as the USO Worldwide and the Air Force Enlisted Village. In total, the 2005 OSC Craft Show enabled the Dover OSC to donate more than $47,000 in scholarships and charitable contributions. The OSC operates using the previous year's approved budget and the craft show event has proven to be the key to their success. According to Connie Adelman, OSC President, the craft show is a successful annual event because of the dedicated volunteers who help set up tables, unload crafters, and provide assistance to the visitors. Nearly 150 Dover Team members volunteer their time to support the show. The OSC still needs volunteers to make this year's show a success. Anyone and everyone can volunteer; if you're interested or for more information about the OSC Craft Show, call 677-6032.