Craft show expands

  • Published
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The Dover Officers' Spouses' Club's 27th Annual Craft Show is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.

One of the largest single-day craft shows on the East Coast, this year's DOSC Craft Show features more than 150 vendors from eight different states. Admission is $4; children 12 and under are free. Free parking and free shuttle service is available from the parking areas to the craft building.

All the crafters and artisans featured at the show are selected for their craftsmanship and artistic talents by the DOSC. The vendor booths will span two buildings with many new artists and crafters bringing their creative and original designs.

Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase from a myriad of handcrafted items: toys, quilts, original artwork, candles, pottery, floral design, jewelry, leather goods, wood creations, personalized items and holiday decor. The food court features local organizations selling an impressive selection of breakfast, lunch and snack items in the Dover Building for the duration of the show.

"These vendors and organizations apply to get a slot at the craft show," said Irene Hafer, craft show chairman. "The vendors go through a judging process to make sure that they are bringing quality goods to our attendees. The organizations that bring the right mix of food tend to do very well at this event, and many of them return the next year."

The DOSC Annual Craft Show is the primary fundraiser for this non-profit organization. Proceeds from admission and vendor booths are donated to scholarships and charitable organizations. Last year, the DOSC awarded $23,000 in scholarship money to military families. Additionally, many local, state, national and military non-profit organizations benefited from more than $10,000 in charitable donations.

"This is one of the most worthwhile fundraisers out there," said Kim Landis, DOSC publicity chairman. "The money goes to help a lot of people, we don't keep any of it. It all goes into the welfare fund to go back into the community. In fact, any private non-profit organization can apply for funds, and we do the best to accommodate as many as we can."

Last year, the DOSC Annual Craft Show earned about $45,000, and hosted about 4,000 attendees. This year, the goal for attendees is about 6,000. About 70 volunteers are helping to coordinate the event.

"Of course, we couldn't have done any of this without our volunteers," said Mrs. Hafer. "We have lots of volunteers from around the base and we appreciate what they have done, and will, do for us. We appreciate all the time they give us to make this a great show. We have a great group of ladies in the OSC and it always amazes me how giving our member volunteers are."

For more information call (302) 677-6032, or visit doverosc.com.
*NO FEDERAL ENDORSEMENT OF THESE PRODUCTS OR VENDORS INTENDED*