Crafts on the mountain: Beersheba Springs hosts annual crafts fair

By Janice M. Howard Style Editor for the Southern Standard

Sarah Smartt and Cole, 4, browse around a booth showing a variety of bird houses, including one made like a log cabin.

Throngs of festival-goers headed up the mountain to the National Historic District of Beersheba Springs to attend the 37th annual arts and crafts fair on the grounds of the Old Historic Hotel.

Some 250 arts and crafts exhibitors from several states were on hand Aug. 28 and 29 to sell their unique handcrafted items as the event got under way in the late summer heat with sporadic rain showers. The festival was open to the public Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Exhibitors performing demonstrations of their specific crafts included portrait sketch artist Joe Vick of Lyles; potter Phil Mayhew of Beersheba Springs; basket weavers, woodcarvers, creative hairstyling, sign painters and more.

The hotel dining room served hot meals each day while food booths at the site provided sandwiches and soft drinks for the hungry masses. Hand-dipped ice cream was also available as a refreshing treat.

For the convenience of attendees, a school bus provided transportation to the festival site and back to outer areas that had been designated for parking.

Proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Beersheba Springs Library, Beersheba Springs Rescue Squad, Beersheba Springs Community Center, Grundy County Center for Exceptional Citizens, North Elementary School and some used for food baskets.

The town of Beersheba Springs is located atop the mountain on U.S. Highway 56, approximately 18 miles from McMinnville.