Staff Writer
“From 10 a.m. until 2 or 3 p.m., the whole world showed up in Caribou,” stated Wendy Landes, executive director of Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Even though once again we were in competition with Homecoming at the University of Maine at Orono (which happens every other year), we had a number of vendors from the Bangor area say they purposely choose to come to our Arts and Crafts Fair,” Landes added.
Devon Cote, 15 of Connor was all set up for business Saturday morning at the Caribou Annual Arts and Crafts Fair. The young entrepreneur has operated his own photography business for two years. Assisting Cote is Trevor Cyr.
This year marked the 36th anniversary of the Annual Arts and Crafts Fair and with 136 vendors displaying their unique wares, the Caribou High School gymnasium was the place to be Saturday and Sunday last weekend.
Upon entering the craft show, potential shoppers were met with enticing aromas, a sea of brilliant colors, and wall-to-wall displays offering everything from handmade quilted items, fudge, cookies, photography, jewelry, hand-knit mittens, gloves, scarves and hats to wonderful glazed pottery and hand hewn walking sticks.
The festive atmosphere of the show was further enhanced by Paul Tercyak, a fiddler, guitar and vocalist entertainer from the Bar Harbor area who had a booth where his CDs could be purchased. Every now and then Tercyak, who performs at schools, business conferences, libraries, weddings and even private home parties, picked up his fiddle and played a variety of his music.
Many of the artisans are regulars, some who appear at statewide arts and crafts shows, others are those who, over the years, have narrowed down their preferences in show locations to include Caribou.
Lea and Joseph Sullivan of Robbinston in Washington County, have been selling their homemade, hand-dipped chocolates and fudge for 27 years at the Annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Caribou. The couple’s business, Katie’s on the Cove, handmade confections, is operated out of their home.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb ScottThese young ladies know just how hungry shopping can make one, so they purchased their cotton candy early at the Arts and Crafts Fair, after stopping at the face-painting booth. The Saturday morning shoppers are, from left: Cailyn Kouhoupt, 5, Elexys Landry, 4, and Madyson Landry, 5.
“We have an old farmhouse that has been re-done and we made all of the confections right in our own candy kitchen, which we installed when we remodeled a shed that is attached to our house,” stated Lea Sullivan. “We make, package and ship everything right from that location. Over the years we have narrowed down the craft shows we appear at; we go to the ones now that we enjoy being at.”
Not all of the vendors are as seasoned as the Sullivans in their search to find the most successful shows — some vendors are just starting out. One young vendor, although he has been in business for two years now, is 15-year-old Devon Cote of Connor, whose business card reads, D.C. Photography, custom prints and photos. The self-taught photographer said this was his first craft show but he had many shoppers spending time at his booth, perusing through his work of both matted, unmatted and framed photos. Cote was assisted with his friend Trevor Cyr during the weekend event.
Another young up-and-coming business person from Caribou is Kendra Coffin, a Caribou Middle School student who was selling her, ‘Lovely Lanyards,’ at the recent Arts and Crafts Fair. The young lady’s work included beaded lanyards of different lengths , the perfect item to attach ID badges to, at the same time creating a more personal fashion statement.
“I started making the lanyards this way because my Mom, (Trina), had one made of metal and it broke, so I thought of making them this way.” Coffin’s lanyards are made by using a strong clear nylon string, on which she then adds color beads and an occasional theme bead to each one.
‘Lovely Lanyards’ are a perfect idea for those of us who find ourselves searching for that evasive pair of reading glasses, each time we use the phone book. Reading or even regular spectacles can either be clipped to the lanyard or slipped through a center ring, allowing for easy assess. This is the second year the young businesswoman has been involved with the Arts and Crafts Fair and she has also participated at a similar event in Fort Kent.
Anyone organized in their life enough to be able to plan to do holiday or birthday shopping during this weekend event was sure to leave satisfied with any purchases made. From wonderful pictures, candles, jewelry, warm mittens and scarves to scrumptious fudge, primitive dolls and home décor, music, calendars, to amazing quilts and wreaths, any shopper would be hard pressed not to leave with most of the names on their lists crossed off — of course it’s only natural that while shopping for others, one just might find a little thing or two for themself.
The Annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Caribou continues to be successful year after year and it isn’t just the vendors who reap the rewards. The event draws a tremendous amount of individuals into the community for this weekend, allowing for other businesses to benefit also. Landes said that while speaking with area businesses, “Jeff Dufour, (owner of Jeff’s Family Restaurant, on South Main St.) said he had never experienced a better Saturday since he had been opened.”
“It all works,” said Landes, “we (the Chamber) don’t really do too much, the vendors bring their own tables and everything else they need for their displays, it just all works and we draw a terrific crowd. Lots of the vendors, including those from ‘away’, don’t hesitate to tell us how much they enjoy this venue.”
