FACTS IF YOU GO
WHAT: Autumn Arts and Crafts Bazaar
WHERE: Auburndale City Park
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday
WHAT TO EXPECT:Homemade jewelry, handcrafted soaps and repurposed glass will be on sale.
AUBURNDALE | Auburndale's City Park will be filled with homemade jewelry, handcrafted soaps and repurposed glass art this weekend for the city's annual Autumn Arts and Crafts Bazaar.
More than 50 vendors will come to the park on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., said Larry Helms, the city's Parks and Recreation Department superintendent. Vendors will be selling a variety of items, including crocheted pieces, mason jar crafts, paintings, homemade dog treats, ceramics and silks.
The bazaar also will have food vendors, live music, a bloodmobile and a student art exhibit, Helms said. The Baynard House Museum will also be open and free tours to the public will be available, said Beverly Scott, a historian and volunteer who conducts the tours.
Various incarnations of the bazaar have been happening for the past 20 years, but this is the fourth year in a row it has been the Autumn Arts and Crafts Bazaar, Helms said. Booth fees from the event will benefit all Auburndale parks.
"It's hard to tell how many people come because we don't charge admission, but we normally have a good turnout," Helms said. "There's a great variety in the vendors and the weather looks like it's going to be great."
Bridgette Deal, owner of Frames With Love, said this is the first time she will be a vendor at the event. Her business, which concentrates on custom framing and furniture, is based in Lakeland.
Deal said she collects old furniture and repurposes it to give it a more vintage feel.
"People should come to enjoy the day and support small-based local businesses," she said.
Charlotte Hart, of Winter Haven, is also new to the event and will be selling repurposed glass art.
Hart said she buys pieces of glass at thrift stores and puts the pieces together in "whimsical ways" that resemble bird feeders, cake toppers, candy dishes or whatever the customer wants to use it for.
"I'm by no means an artist, but I do enjoy making them," she said. "I'm going to give the bazaar a whirl and if it's fun, I may do it again. I'm pretty nervous but kind of excited."
Monivette Cordeiro can be reached at monivette.cordeiro@newschief.com or 863-401-6969.
Source: TimeOutPolk.com