TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

Fall craft fair weekend in Merrill is upon us. Though we’ve had a mild autumn, the Merrill area annual craft shows, and this week’s cold snap, are here to remind us that the holidays are right around the corner.
On Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, craft lovers can explore five different locations where they can shop and get into the holiday mood. “The five different locations will showcase hundreds of different crafters, vendors, boutiques, and small businesses,” said Laura Bares, one of the organizers of the annual event. “Shoppers will find unique, one-of-a-kind items like jewelry, handcrafted items, crafts, home decor, clothing, books, raffle baskets, holiday decorations, baked goods, candies, gift items, and more.” In addition, food is available for sale at most locations, she said.
Craft show locations
• Eagles Club, 1205 Lake St. – 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – A variety of crafters will feature handcrafted items for sale.
• Les & Jim’s, 1208 N Center Ave. – 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Crafters will showcase tables full of talent for shoppers to browse and purchase.
• New Testament Church, N2519 Co. Rd. K – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Vendors will share their wares and shoppers can get a head start on holiday shopping.
• St. Francis Xavier Church & School, 1708 E. 10th St. – 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – In addition to crafts, homemade candies and cookies will be available for purchase. And new this year: A “Children’s Santa Shop” is the place where children can shop gifts for the parents and family members. Volunteers will assist the children. Eighty percent of the items are $5 and under, and a gift bag will be included.
• Merrill High School Fieldhouse, 1201 N Sales St. – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – The Merrill Boys Basketball Team is hosting their fifth Merrill Hoops Craft Fair. In addition to crafts and handmade items, the event offers lunch items and desserts. And vendors appreciate a unique aspect of this craft show: “Basketball players help the vendors bring all their crafts into the fieldhouse in the morning and again help them load them up into their vehicles at the end of the show,” said Julie Mootz, one of the organizers. “We’ve received many compliments over the years about how helpful and respectful our players have been. As our vendors are setting up, they are greeted with complementary hot coffee and doughnuts. When it comes to lunchtime, we offer a variety of homemade soups, sandwiches, and desserts. Our players deliver menus and take orders from vendors wishing to purchase lunch and then deliver it right to their booth. Our feedback each year from our vendors has been very positive. They are impressed with how involved our players are and how smoothly the process goes.”
“Each year we look forward to serving our Merrill and surrounding communities by putting on a great show!” she added.
For more information about this weekend’s area craft shows, including a city map, go to the “Merrill Craft & Vendor Events” Facebook page.