A really big show
Ed Sullivan may live on only in our memories, but there’s a really big shoo, er, show, that draws a really big crowd to the North Dakota State Fair Event Center twice a year. The Spring Big One Art & Craft Fair is not only the first major craft show of the season, it may also be the biggest, with about 180 exhibitors from across the U.S. displaying their wares at more than 250 booths. One of five Big One show throughout the year, (the others are in Bismarck and Fargo, ND and Crookston, MN), the Minot Spring Fair is the 28th held in what has become a perennial event in the Magic City. The show is even bigger than ever with last year’s expansion to two rooms at the center. In the past, the booths were in the Magic Room, but the expansion means there will also be booths in the 4H Hall. The new layout also expanded the aisle width, offering even more room for customers. Stacy Frank, who, along with wife Lisa, operates the show, says the attraction is the fact that this show focuses solely on products created by hand that represent the true craft industry. “What’s unique about our shows, versus a lot of other shows, we require exhibitors to have hand-made items by themselves. That’s why people keep coming back, and back, and back,” he says. Some of the items available for sale are handcrafted wood furniture and decorative pieces, photography, pottery, jewelry, floral arrangements, toys, numerous baby items, rugs and other home décor, clothing, handmade soaps and lotions and, of course, all kinds of flavorful foods including baked goods, soups, dips, jams, jellies, breads, salsa, spices, candies and desserts. Like the attendees, many of the exhibitors also return year after year. But, that’s not to say there’s nothing new. “We always get a new 20 to 30 per cent new vendors each year, so it’s always new products and fresh, new looks. There’s a good mix of new vendors and new products. It’s just amazing what people can create and make,” Frank says. The 28th annual spring show in Minot will be held at the North Dakota State Fair Center Fri. Apr. 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sat. Apr. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3, and children age 12 and under enter free. For more information, visit www.thebigone.biz.