CONCORD, NH – The Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair, the longest running annual crafts fair in the nation, will hold its 81^st fair this year featuring 350 craftsmen showcasing their contemporary and traditional work, daily craft demonstrations and workshops, and entertainment for the entire family. The Fair starts on Saturday, August 2, 2014 and runs through Sunday, August 10 at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH.

”The Fair is a fun and interactive way to explore the world of craft making. Being able to meet the artists, and learn about their techniques and inspiration for their craft is a one-of-a kind experience,” said Susie Lowe-Stockwell, executive director of the League of NH Craftsmen.  “It’s a wonderful showcase of the latest work by new artists and returning Fair participants, some of whom have been exhibiting at the Fair for 30 years and more. Fairgoers can expect to see a wide variety of fine craft, including unusual, colorful pottery, hand blown glass, framed prints, beautiful bowls in all mediums, decorative scarves, and handcrafted jewelry that you just won’t find anywhere else.”

Brand new this year will be a “Collectors Sprint” on Saturday, August 2 where guests can pay $50 to enter the Craftsmen’s Fair an hour early at 9 a.m. and have exclusive access to one-of-a-kind  pieces they may be seeking. A list of exhibitions and artists can be found on the Craftsmen’s Fair website.

For those who can’t make it during the day, there will be a special Thursday night event on August 7 called  “$5 After 4”—where the Fair will stay open  three  hours later until 8 p.m. and admission is half price after 4 p.m.

Siiri Grubb, a juried member of the League and co-owner with Janet Durkee-Prescott of Sally Bags, was one of the emerging artists that participated for the first time in last year’s Fair. “It was an amazing experience – the response to our handcrafted handbags and totes was great,” said Grubb. “The caliber of talent and skill that is on display at the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair is worlds above any show that I have been involved in. Janet and I are very proud to be part of this great organization.”

This year’s Craftsmen’s Fair will have even more activities for families, with special craft workshops and demonstrations geared specifically toward the children and teenagers including a pottery school and woodworking activities. Roving performances featuring oversized puppets, magicians, mind readers, and musicians will also wander throughout the grounds, giving it a festival atmosphere.

Additional features of the Annual Craftsmen Fair include:

·Fairgoers can purchase the 2014 League of NH Craftsmen’s 2014 Annual Ornament.  This year’s ornament is Whispers of Spring, a hand-formed cast pewter birch branch by Kristine Lane and Paulette Werger, both juried in metal by the League. The ornament is $23 and is numbered and signed by the artists.

·Learn more about your favorite craft by taking a Tour with a Master

·Picture your home with a piece of handmade furniture, wall hanging or basket from the Living With Craft Exhibition which showcases room settings with a creative fusion of handmade furniture and decorative items.

·Try on one-of-a-kind handmade fashions and accessories at the CraftWear Exhibition, which displays stylish “art-to-wear” clothing, jewelry, and accessories

·Walk through the Sculpture Garden and enjoy a breathtaking display of landscape sculptures and garden ornaments. Last year, this exhibit was one of the most talked about at the Fair, and will be expanded to include even more.

The Fair is a great destination for not only exploring and shopping at the craftsmen’s booths, but also to experience outdoor adventures as a family. The Mount Sunapee Resort Adventure Center will be open offering outdoor family adventures such as canopy zip lining, a treetop obstacle course, miniature golf, and more.  Visitors can also take the chair lift to the top of Mount Sunapee and explore the summit. Advance reservations are required for the Canopy Zip Line Tour and the Segway Excursions. For more information, visitwww.mountsunapee.com or call 603-763-3500.

The Annual Craftsmen’s Fair is just one of many reasons to visit the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region, said Lowe-Stockwell. “There are many outdoor recreational and cultural activities for all ages, including the M/V Kearsarge cruises and boat tours, the Fells Historic Estate and Gardens with its nature trails and tours of historic homes, and boating, kayaking, sailing, and hiking,” said Lowe-Stockwell. Visitors can go to the Lake Sunapee Regions Chamber of Commerce website at www.lakesunapeenh.org to learn more about all of these activities.

PHOTOS
League Fairgrounds: The 2014 Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair will include more than 200 craft booths, craft demonstrations, workshops, and three craft exhibitions, including the Sculpture Garden pictured here.

Siirri Grubb: Siiri Grubb, a juried member of the League and co-owner with Janet Durkee-Prescott of Sally Bags, was one of the emerging artists that participated for the first time in last year’s Fair and will be participating in the 2014 Fair. The Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair is a showcase the latest handcrafted work by the juried members of the League. Creative, one-of-a-kind clay, metal, glass, wood, fiber craft and more are on display and available for purchase.

Annual Craftsmen’s Fair Ticket Information

The 81^th Annual League of NH Craftsmen Fair will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, rain or shine, from August 2-10. Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for seniors, students, active duty military (with ID), and groups of 20 or more. Admission is free for children 12 and under. A ticket includes admission to all exhibitions and demonstrations. A ticket for a second return day is available for an additional $5. Visitors who purchase their tickets in advance on the League’s website, www.nhcrafts.org, will receive a $1 discount, plus no convenience fee. This discount will be offered until August 1. Having tickets in advance is a great way to avoid the long ticket lines at the gate. Parking is free.

Picnic areas, as well as a food tent, indoor cafeterias, and an outdoor Garden Café (serving adult beverages) are open daily. Parking is free. Please leave pets at home; only service dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds.

About the League of NH Craftsmen

The League of NH Craftsmen is a non-profit, craft education organization. Its mission is to encourage, nurture and promote the creation, use and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional craft through the inspiration and education of artists and the broader community. The League represents the signature of excellence in fine craft, through the work of its juried members, and its rigorous standards for self expression, vision, and quality craftsmanship. The League of NH Craftsmen is supported in part by grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information about the Fair, or the League of NH Craftsmen, call 603-224-3375, emailnhleague@nhcrafts.org, or visit the League’s website at www.nhcrafts.org.