ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
The weather in Southwest Kansas is now seeing decreasing temperatures reflecting a more seasonable climate for autumn.
The calendar has likewise turned to November, and though Thanksgiving will not be here for another three weeks, many are already getting into the Christmas spirit.
For several years in Meade, holiday enthusiasts have been able to get a head start on shopping, and Saturday, Nov. 16, the community is welcoming back the annual Meade County Craft Fair.
Coordinator Tasha Cooley said this year’s event at the Meade County Fairgrounds has actually expanded from past years.
“We are going inside and out, rain or shine,” she said. “If there’s weather, they’ll have tents. We have so many new vendors wanting to come in who have crafts, wooden, metal, actual objects for your home and food to take home. I have 11 outside vendors right now and 39 inside.”
Several other holiday shopping events are scheduled to take place in the area, including this weekend’s KSCB Home & Craft Show and the Liberal Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Open House. Cooley said her craft show, like these, will get some in the holiday spirit, while at the same time lifting the spirits of those already in a yuletide mood.
“It gets people to always shop local and start purchasing things for Christmas,” she said. “There’s so many different unique items whether you’re a guy or girl. No matter their age, whether you’re shopping for your grandparents, your kids, your mom and dad, we have something for everybody at this show.”
With people coming to town from throughout the area, Cooley said the craft show will benefit the Meade community as a whole as well.
“It definitely benefits everybody – small hometown businesses, the food, every business place they have locally,” she said.
Cooley said Meade is already beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and she expects it to look even more so as the end of the year approaches.
“It’s going to be pretty festive,” she said. “People are already wanting to put up their trees. I’m very excited for them to decorate downtown. The craft show is definitely going to be full of Christmas trees and many decor items.”
Along with helping the local economy, Cooley said the craft fair puts people in a more festive spirit for the season.
“The love and caring of everybody being out and happy to see and visit everybody, it makes their spirits a lot more happy and festive,” she said. “With the economy and how things in life are going right now, it definitely cheers them up.”
Along with the Meade County Craft Fair, the community will also have the Christmas Shoppe at St. John Lutheran Church which will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16, and with the craft fair running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., holiday shoppers will have yet another place to find presents for friends and family.
The craft fair, though, can fulfill the wants and needs of many gift givers.
“We have something for all ages, whether it be food, decor, clothing, shoes,” Cooley said. “We have something for all ages and all types of Christmas gifts.”
Cooley said the inside of the fairgrounds building will be full of vendors, but outside vendors are still being taken at this time. To register as a vendor or to get more information, contact Cooley at 620-655-7823. More information can likewise be found on the Meade County Craft Fair page on Facebook.
“We are completely full unless they went outside,” she said. “It would be contacting me.”
While she is excited for every craft show, Cooley said her excitement has never been higher for this year’s event.
“This is the seventh year, and it is definitely going to be the best show yet,” she said.
