Chiaha goes online; artists, crafters, vendors showcase their work

While the annual Chiaha Harvest Fair won’t be taking place this year, there’s still a chance to see and purchase some of the great local arts and crafts usually only available at the event.

From the jewelry to the textiles, and from honey to metalwork, many of the items many Rome residents are used to buying as gifts or simply enjoy themselves are still available this year.

Organizers know that the annual fall festival is one of the places where artists can connect with potential customers and where customers can get a variety of items they can’t get in stores. So they’ve set up Chiaha Harvest Fair Marketplace, a Facebook page where local and area artists and crafters can display and sell their work.

“We are so sad to miss out on the Chiaha Harvest Fair for the first time in 55 years, and we know you are, too,” organizers said in a statement posted to the page. “This Covid season has been hard for everyone, and the creators that you know and love from Chiaha are no exception. Many festivals have been cancelled this year and it has been very hard for artists and craftsmen to connect with potential customers.”

The page is designed to allow Chiaha artists, musicians and vendors to market their goods. Artists, crafters, musicians and vendors who have previously participated in Chiaha are free to post their work that’s available for purchase, as well as all the necessary information for the public to contact them and make purchases.

The page currently features the work of painters, photographers, jewelers, doll makers, quilters, candlemakers, woodworkers and others.

The public can visit the page by searching “Chiaha Harvest Fair Marketplace” on Facebook.