Annual craft show comes to Dover

  • Published
  • By Susan E. Walls
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  If you haven't started your Christmas shopping this year, then the Dover Officer's Spouse's Club Craft Show has got a great deal for you!

The 22nd Annual Dover OSC Craft Show will feature more than 200 vendors selling their handmade gift ideas.

One of the largest single-day craft shows on the Eastern Seaboard is open to the public Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Delaware State Fair Grounds in Harrington. There will be plenty of free parking and admission is $3 for adults and free to children 12 and under.

The craft show will feature only all handmade items from jewelry, leather goods, holiday decorations, quilts, original artwork, baskets, candles, ceramics, clothing, dolls, floral arrangements and woodworked items.

If you're in the market for a unique Christmas ornament, several vendors will be on hand with one-of-a-kind treasures.

Billed as the biggest single-day craft show on the East Coast, a panel of 12 judges reviewed hundreds of applications for this years show. This careful application process is 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.

The first craft show in 1986, was the brain-child of Kay Kross, wife of former Air Mobility Command commander, (ret.) Gen. Walt Kross. The base washrack was one of its first homes, but due to its popularity growing by leaps and bounds, the show relocated to the Delaware State Fairgrounds in 2001. The one-day affair is a hugely anticipated event that many enthusiasts plan their vacations around!

"Our craft show is one of the largest in the DelMarVa region," said Lori Heinrich, OSC President and co-chairperson for the craft show. This year we have about 225 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 Mrs. Heinrich. Heinrich said the cost for items available would range from a few dollars to a couple of hundred dollars.

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 for the early birds.

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.' There will be nearly a dozen food vendors and plenty of tables for shoppers to use when they need a break.

This year's show will provide a glance into some regional cuisine opportunities such as dip mixes, soups and jams, and 'never-before-seen' products.

"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, OSC Vice President and food court chairperson.

Funds raised can pay for a wide variety of extras such as squadron picnics, retirements and flowers or donations to a charity.

The annual craft show is the primary fundraiser each year for the total volunteer organization, with base families and local non-profit organizations reaping the benefits and rewards!

Last year the Dover OSC awarded a total of $23,000 in scholarship money to military families and an additional $6,250 was given to support many Dover Air Force Base organizations such as the base schools, security forces, family services, Key Family Member Program and the Air Mobility Command Museum; $1,660 was returned to the local community through charitable donations and $7,500 was donated to the state and national level to organizations as the United Service Organizations Worldwide and the Air Force Enlisted Village.

In total, the 2005 OSC Craft Show profits enabled the Dover OSC to donate $38,410 in scholarships and charitable contributions during the 2006-2007 board year!

The show has become known for many positive attributes that distinguish it from other large craft shows of a similar nature. The show boasts ease of parking and the hospitality of the people working the event. Nearly 150 Dover Team members volunteer their time to support the show.

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

Volunteers are still needed to help 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.