Glen Dale resident Nora Durrah, owner of Knots by Nora, poses with some of her handmade, chunky-knit goods during last year’s Christmas at The Highlands craft fair at The Highlands Sports Complex. The event returns this year from today through Sunday.
More than 200 vendors will be present when “West Virginia’s Largest Craft Show” opens today at The Highlands Sports Complex.
The annual “Christmas At The Highlands” craft show takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Santa will be present to greet youngsters from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday.
About 8,000 people are expected to come walk the aisles of the craft show.
This is the third year at The Highlands for the craft show, which for many years took place at WesBanco Arena the weekend before Thanksgiving. Organizer Kevin Carroll said vendors participating come from as many as 10 different states, and some who applied weren’t accepted as their goods were similar to what were already expected from other vendors.
“Several were denied, so have a variety and visitors can see unique items and it’s not the same thing in every aisle,” he said. “We could have had 100 more vendors.”
Among those present will be Carroll’s own Touch of Amish business, which sells Amish foods. There will also be crafters selling such items as pottery, wreaths, wood crafts, ceramics and baked goods, as well as vendors from Scentsy and Avon.
New this year will be glass blowers and a chainsaw artist stationed outside the building.
Carroll explained the organizers met with those at The Highlands Sports Complex after last year’s event to determine how the event could be improved. One suggestion was that not parking close to the building was an issue for some.
Shuttle services will be available to and from parking areas throughout The Highlands, Carroll added. Bus stop details will be detailed on the “Christmas At The Highlands” Facebook page.
He added that there also will be no large tournaments happening at the sports complex this year during the time of the craft show, so immediate parking will be less of an issue.
Those attending the craft show will be asked to pay a $3 entry fee, with proceeds going toward the Wayne Wilhelm Memorial Scholarships for Wheeling Park High School students who wish to attend trade school. The scholarships are in memory of Wayne Wilhelm, the father of Carroll’s wife, Anne.
There will be up to five check-in lines at the door to the sports complex, but advance tickets are available online at kcproductionswv.com.
“This event has a huge economic impact,” Carroll added. “The vendors stay at the hotels (at The HIghlands) and eat there. Then people come in for the craft show and make a day of it. They shop and eat at The Highlands.
“We know we are helping out the community,” he added.