Published: October 11, 2007 10:59 am         

Shipshewana Fall Crafters Fair starts today

SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — The Shipshewana Fall Crafters Fair starts today and continues through Saturday.

Artisans and crafters will fill three large tents in the parking lot west of the Blue Gate Restaurant daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other festival attractions can also be found throughout the town.

Some of the highlights include:

• Classic John Deere tractors

• Old-fashioned harvest demonstrations, including threshing

• Free mini-buggy rides for children ages 8 and younger

• Live entertainment, including gospel and bluegrass musicians

• Kids’ activities

• Artisan demonstrations at the Courtyard of Arts on Morton Street

• Third annual Fall Crafters Fair Gospel Sing, featuring live outdoor music starting at 11 a.m. and continuing throughout the afternoons; and 7 p.m. shows in the Blue Gate Theater

• Old-fashioned apple butter making

• Making ice cream with an antique steam engine

• Merchant specials

• Prize drawings

• Chainsaw carving

Noted American folk artist and children’s book author Will Moses will visit Galarina Folk Arts Friday and Saturday. Moses will be available to sign books and prints from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Galarina is giving away an original Will Moses illustration from his book, “Rip VanWinkle,” to mark its 30th year in business. People must be present to win. The drawing is at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Also, the Flea Market will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The fair started as a grand opening celebration for the new Blue Gate Restaurant, according to a press release from Andrew Rohrer of the Festival Planning Committee of the Shipshewana Retail Merchants Association.

“The Fair was such a success that it became a town wide event the next year, sponsored by the Shipshewana Retail Merchants Association,” he stated in the release. “While the Riegsecker Marketplace hosts many of the events, fun and activities will be happening everywhere throughout the town.”

There is no admission or parking fee for the event.