23rd Annual Dover OSC Craft show supports welfare, scholarship programs, local artisans

  • Published
  • By Susan E. Walls
  • 436 AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR BASE, Del. --  The 23rd Annual Dover Officer's Spouses Club Craft Show will be held Nov. 1, 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 free shuttle service from the parking areas. Admission to this year's event is $5, children 12 and under will be admitted free.
Billed as the biggest single-day craft show on the East Coast, a panel of 12 judges reviewed more than 150 applications for this years show. This application process is in an effort to ensure the integrity of the show's format. Prospective crafters are required to provide a raw materials list invoice or receipt to ensure the creations did not come from a kit nor were they commercially made. 

"Our craft show is one of the largest in the Delmarva region," said Kim Landis, publicity chair for this year's event. "This year we have more than 150 vendors scheduled to attend." 

"Both venues at the fairgrounds are covered, so the show is held rain or shine," said Irene Hafer, OSC President and chairperson for the craft show. 

This year's show will provide a glance into some regional cuisine opportunities and some 'never before seen' products. 

The climate-controlled enclosed Dover Building will be open for the entire show and will have some familiar favorites returning this year, including breakfast sandwiches.
Food vendors are all non-profit organizations and consist almost entirely of base booster clubs. The Dover OSC Craft Show committee has made sure that each group will serve something different to maintain a wide variety of "cuisine." There will be nearly a dozen food vendors and plenty of tables for shoppers to use when they need a break. 

"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 Kim Weigner, food court chairperson. 

The annual Craft Show is the primary fundraiser for the Dover Officer's Spouses Club. Last year the Dover OSC awarded more than $22,000 in scholarship money to military families and an additional $20,000 was given to support many Dover AFB organizations such as the base schools, security forces, family services, Key Family Member Program and the Air Mobility Command Museum. The 2007 Craft Show profits enabled the Dover OSC to donate more than $40,000 in scholarships and charitable contributions during the 2007-2008 board year. 

According to Mrs. Hafer, the craft show is a successful annual event because of the dedicated volunteers who help unload crafters, direct traffic and parking, and provide assistance to the visitors throughout the day-long event. 

For more information or to volunteer, call 677-6032.