The Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show, which is held at Root’s Country Market over Labor Day weekend, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The show’s founder, Marilyn Hobday, reflects on those 30 years.

In the world of arts and crafts, late summer signals the start of the holiday season. For those who decorate their homes for the various seasons and holidays, shows such as Heart of Lancaster provide a treasure trove of unique items. “And, people shop the show for Christmas gifts,” Marilyn says of the one-of-a-kind jewelry and fashion items they can find for the people on their gift lists. She excitedly notes that the fashion aspect of the show will grow this year with the addition of new vendors whose focus is clothing, jewelry and leather.

First, Some History

Artistic expression and handcrafted items are as old as mankind. For centuries, people have been selling things they have made by hand. Fast forward to the 19th century, when the Industrial Age threatened that tradition and gave rise to the Arts and Crafts Movement. Launched in England during the 1880s, what came to be regarded as an anti-industrial movement spread across Europe and to North America over the next 30 years. The celebration of traditional craftsmanship influenced architecture, decorative arts, fine art and furnishings.

Another arts and crafts movement took root in the 1940s, when how-to books became the darlings of the publishing industry. According to Barbara Brabec, who writes about the industry, the books generated a demand for craft supplies. Ultimately, a craft-supply industry emerged on the West Coast and moved east. Magazines devoted to craft projects debuted in the early ‘60s, which further fueled crafting fever.

America’s Bicentennial in 1776 reinvigorated traditional crafts, as people developed interests in such hobbies as quilting, felting, hooked rugs, needlework, woodworking, etc. According to a Harris Poll conducted in the mid-70s, two out of three respondents named crafting as a hobby.

The advent of the Internet took arts and crafts to a new level, as artisans were now able to create a worldwide audience through websites. That reach has only expanded with the dawn of social media.

Today’s artisans – or “makers” in 21st-century lingo – have evolved into creative entrepreneurs who possess the talent to make irresistible things. While the creative factor has grown more sophisticated, and Etsy.com is considered a must-view source for millennials, like all segments of the economy, the Great Recession affected the arts and crafts industry. Attendance dipped, and shows that were already teetering disbanded.

The good news is that the industry appears to be back on track. “Our numbers are up,” says Marilyn of the rebound in attendance. With it, a new generation of artists and buyers is being seen at shows. Also, people are traveling again and in most instances, they are searching for souvenirs that provide an emotional attachment to their vacation. Nothing stirs memories better than handmade items.

The industry itself is also making changes. The new trend in shows might best be described as cross-pollination. Farmers markets are finding that makers add an artistic element to their venues, while arts and crafts shows are welcoming artisans who specialize in food and wine, which add a new dimension to theirs. Conceptualized in the West, the trend is now making an impact on shows in the East. And, according to Brabec, it appeals to that all-important demographic, the millennials.

Such a scenario is working in the new must-visit town in America: Waco, Texas, where Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper fame have turned a complex of silos into a shopping extravaganza that features food, locally made decorative items and their own Magnolia brand products.

Made Local

It seems that Marilyn was ahead of her time when she proposed the Heart of Lancaster to some of her artist friends. In her estimation, Lancaster’s arts and craftspeople needed a vehicle in their own backyard to showcase their talents. She recruited Jennie Todd, Linda Hikes, Diane Hawthorne and Tillie Schouten to serve on her planning committee. They began searching for an outdoor venue that provided plenty of parking. “The only place that fit that bill was Root’s Country Market,” Marilyn explains.

So, Marilyn approached owner Edith Longenecker with her idea. Edith was skeptical, explaining Root’s had never rented their facility to an outside organization. “She told me she’d have to think about it,” Marilyn recalls. A few days later, Edith summoned Marilyn and told her the family would be willing to give the venture a try.

Marilyn and her committee invited 83 vendors to participate. “We thought it was just great,” she says of their willingness to be guinea pigs. The show received a PR shot in the arm when WGAL’s Wendall Woodbury previewed it for one of his “Wendall’s World” segments. “He interviewed me while I painted,” Marilyn explains. “I was so grateful to Wendall; that was huge for us.” Things went so smoothly for the inaugural one-day show that at the end of the day, the vendors gave the organizers a standing ovation. “That’s unheard of,” Marilyn says.

Soon, vendors who heard about the successful show came calling. “We needed to expand,” Marilyn says. “We were turning away too many vendors.” She approached Tom Longenecker, who had taken over Root’s, with the request, and he agreed to provide space for additional vendors. She had to make the same request a second time, which brought the number of vendors to 170. She approached him a third time and secured space for the present-day total of 200 vendors. “Of course, then we needed more parking!” Marilyn reports.

Demand – both from the public and the vendors – prompted Marilyn to approach Tom with yet another request: expand the show to two days. “That was seven years ago,” she says. “Fortunately, Tom agreed to that, too.”

On With the Show

Planning the show is a nearly year-round endeavor. For 10 months out of the year, the show’s planning committee meets every Tuesday night. Vendor requests are never-ending. As a result, the committee has grown to six members and in addition to Marilyn, it includes Melissa Ward Carroll (a graphic artist), Jessica Keener (a jeweler), Christine Ott (who paints on glass), Susan Quinn (a tole artist) and Bunny Switzenberg (beeswax creations). “Everyone is talented and knowledgeable, and two of us are former teachers,” Marilyn notes.

The juried show entails “getting a good handle” on potential vendors through interviewing them via phone calls or having them submit the making process in writing. References for potential vendors are also contacted. Referrals are followed up via phone calls. “When it comes to selecting the vendors, well, a meeting can go into the wee hours,” Marilyn says of the month-long selection process. “Our goal is to provide the show with diverse artists and craftspeople and a range of price points. Although we have exhibitors from Maine to Florida, local artists are at the core of the show.”

During the show, committee members also anonymously visit booths to make certain the vendor’s products are indeed handmade and that they are interacting with the public. Manufactured products that have been artistically altered by a vendor is reason for expulsion from the show.

Due to a number of reasons, 40-50 vendors are rotated in and out each year. “We need to keep the show fresh,” Marilyn remarks. On the flip side, several vendors have been with the show for each of its 30 years.
“Secret shoppers” from art-and-craft-related organizations also visit booths in an effort to compile the all-important rankings of shows. Marilyn is proud to report that one of those organizations, Sunshine Artists, ranks Heart of Lancaster in its Top 20.

It’s About Community

In addition to showcasing local talent, Marilyn explains that education is a critical element of the show. “We offer 50 live demonstrations during the show,” she explains. “We want to educate the public about how things are made.” She is confident that the educational aspect of the show helps to encourage future generations of artists and shoppers to become engaged.

Music and food also help to make the show a fun family destination for the last holiday weekend of the summer. This year, the jazz ensemble Over Easy (Saturday) and the Susquehanna Pipes & Drums (Sunday) will be providing musical entertainment. As for food, Root’s handles that aspect of the show and relies on many of its vendors to provide a wide selection of breakfast, lunch and snack items.

Proceeds (and donations from show patrons) also benefit a local nonprofit organization. In the past, organizations such as the S. June Smith Center, Columbia Food Bank and Make-a-Wish were beneficiaries. (This year’s organization is TBA.)

The “Heart” of the Show

Marilyn can’t believe this year marks the 30th anniversary of the show. “I was in my 30s when this began,” she says. “Now I’m a grandmother of six!”

After graduating from Millersville University, she became an art teacher at Hempfield High School, retiring in 1999. All the while she taught, Marilyn was a working artist. “I used to do 35 shows a year,” she explains. “Now, I’ve downsized to six,” naming Lititz; Boalsburg; Frederick, Maryland; and, of course, Root’s as being among her destinations. Marilyn says she maintained a non-stop schedule for one reason: to put her children through college. Son Todd, who is an accomplished furniture maker, attended college in Boston, while her daughter, Melissa, is a veterinarian in the Philadelphia area.

Marilyn also purchased a piece of Columbia history – the Poplar Street School, built in 1884 – to serve as her studio. “I fell in love with it,” she says. “The architectural aspects of buildings in Columbia are amazing!”
When she showed the building to the other love of her life, Denny Pierce (they were married on the only weekend she had available – Halloween), he could not believe she was serious about buying it. “I think he said, ‘Are you out of your mind?’” she shares, remembering that he pointed to the 57 windows that needed serious attention.

“If I didn’t buy it, it was probably headed for the wrecking ball,” she theorizes. Today, the Poplar Street School for the Arts serves as Marilyn’s studio and Todd’s workshop.

Like other successful artists, Marilyn has learned that it’s necessary to balance creativity with business. “You really need to know what customers want,” she explains. Like fashion, styles change. Forty years ago, the country look ruled. “Today, it’s more eclectic, although primitive is still very popular,” Marilyn reports. And, she maintains that it’s important to offer a wide range of price points, which in her case involves offering both originals and prints. “You never know when the person who purchased something for $10 will be back to buy something more substantial. That’s also where education comes into play: I spend a lot of time educating visitors about art. Like I always tell our vendors, you never know who’s going to walk into your booth and what they’re going to buy. I always stress that you can’t tell a book by its cover.”

The Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show will be held September 2 & 3 at Root’s Country Market, 705 Greystone Road, Manheim. Hours each day are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit hlcshow.com for details.

What is Christmas, a birthday and the Super Bowl all rolled into one? For seven local communities, the answer is easy … It’s Fair Season!

The International Association of Fairs and Expositions defines a fair as “an event that offers multiple competitions that involve produce or farm animals.” While that may be the core aspect of a fair, according to Deb Martin Berkoski, a fair is also about community.

The queen of the fairs – Deb and her mother, Dorothy M. Martin, took home 150 ribbons from this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show – likes to emphasize the “giving” nature of Lancaster’s farming community. On a personal level, she is indebted to the countless people – and organizations such as 4-H and FFA – who have guided and supported her over nearly 40 years of competing locally, state-wide and nationally.

She also admires the individuals and businesses that pay top dollar for animals, produce and baked goods at the fairs. In many cases, their purchases help to fund a college education or a future downpayment on a piece of land. “Sometimes, I can’t believe what a person is willing to pay for a piece of my pie,” she says of auctions that benefit farm-focused youth organizations.

Deb also credits her success to people who taught her how to raise lambs and to her mother, who can determine if a pie crust will be good with just a touch of her hands. And, then there are the people who kept a watch over the teenaged Deb during her travels to the Pennsylvania Farm Show and other competitions across the country. “It definitely is a different age in which we live,” she says of going to Harrisburg as a youngster and spending the week at the Farm Show building. “I’d call my parents and ask them to send more money along with whomever was coming up the next day,” she recalls.

In Deb’s estimation, community spirit – and more importantly, community service – is what drives the success of Lancaster County’s fairs. Volunteerism is an incredible aspect of the fairs. Thousands of people devote countless volunteer hours to the various fairs. And, according to Deb, that devotion to and pride in Lancaster’s agricultural tradition never skips a beat. “If you did well at the fairs as a child, you feel the need to give back as an adult,” she says of what motivates succeeding generations to become involved. For the volunteers, the year-round planning sessions are simply a labor of love. “I’m not aware of one person in Lancaster County who gets paid for running the fairs,” Deb says. In their viewpoint, Lancaster’s agricultural heritage must be celebrated.

Deb, who lives on the family farm in Conestoga with her husband, Steve, is especially dedicated to the West Lampeter and Southern Lancaster County fairs. “Mom and I always enter those fairs – we consider them our ‘home’ fairs,” she says, adding that she has become a volunteer at West Lampeter.

Lancaster’s fairs also have a social aspect connected to them. “On one hand, you develop lifelong relationships through the fairs,” says Deb. “And, on the other, there are some people I only get to see at the fair.”
That may be the bedrock of fairs. To this day, they provide farm families with the opportunity to take a break from chores, celebrate the harvest, visit with neighbors, participate in competitions, and see new products and machinery. “I think people are more into the fairs than ever before,” says Deb, noting that city dwellers and suburbanites have joined the audience.

Statistics back her up. Last year’s North Dakota State Fair was attended by nearly 40% of its residents. That equates to more than 300,000 visitors. The York Fair, which is regarded as “America’s First Fair” (1765), draws upwards of 400,000 visitors in early September. And, the Pennsylvania Farm Show, which is regarded as the nation’s largest indoor agricultural expo (6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, 300 commercial exhibits) attracts a similar attendance. Locally, the various community fairs attract residences and visitors alike.

“I think for many families the fair provides a night where you can learn something, have fun, eat French fries and funnel cake, and pet a pig,” Deb says. “Where else can you do that?” She credits the farm-to-fork movement for inspiring families to learn about Lancaster’s agricultural heritage and its long-held reputation as the “garden spot of America.” She also points to a newfound fondness of gardening, canning and preserving for the interest foodies are showing in fairs. Even the popularity of competition-cooking shows on television impacts fair attendance.

Deb traces her competitive spirit to her mother, the daughter of tenant farmers. Deb’s father, the late Melvin H. Martin, grew up on a farm that has been owned by generations of Warfels. Raised by an aunt and uncle, Melvin’s choice of a bride dismayed his aunt. “According to my mother, my father’s aunt made the comment that she didn’t know what he could be thinking of to marry her – she couldn’t can, she couldn’t cook and she couldn’t arrange flowers.”
The comment apparently raised Dorthy’s ire. “Sixty-five years ago, she set off for the West Lampeter Fair with chow-chow, sugar cookies and a vase of asters,” Deb reports. “And, she came home with three blue ribbons!”

Deb says that her mother’s determination came to define her own spirit. “As farmers, we’ve come to view every day as a contest,” she says. “Farming has made us into very competitive people. We need to earn our keep every day, every year.” Like many Lancaster farming families, the Martin clan – Deb, Steve, and her brother, Brian – work off the farm and lease the fields to others farmers. “You either have to do that or go big and raise everything – cash crops, animals – plus diversify with market stands and other ventures,” she remarks, noting that health benefits are a major incentive to work off the farm. “I remember my father’s uncle, Joe, had an egg route.”

Deb made her debut on the fair circuit at the age of 12. “I bought my first market lamb and entered the West Lampeter Fair,” she recalls. Her first blue ribbon only whetted her desire for more. Thanks to the generosity of others who shared their time and knowledge with Deb, she was schooled about the nuances – breeding, genetics and diets – of raising prize-winning lambs. “A lot of work and money goes into raising an animal,” she says. “It also helps to have luck on your side.”

Two of her lambs, Jenny and Chisholm, took her all the way to the Pennsylvania Farm Show. She laughs at the memory of them. “We didn’t even have a truck to haul them around,” she says. “We just put them in the backseat of our ’72 Chevy Nova and drove them to the fair.” She will always be grateful for the experience of raising lambs. “For kids, it’s a learning process that will stay with them throughout their lives,” she explains. “Caring for an animal teaches responsibility and other life lessons. On the fair circuit, you’ll shed tears of joy and tears of frustration.”

From lambs, Deb transitioned to baked goods, jams/jellies and floral displays (she grows her own flowers and has taken classes at Longwood). “Between the two of us, we’ll enter 100 items at a fair,” Deb says, referring to her 89-year-old mother. For Deb, the holy grail of competition is the state-sponsored contests for apple pie, chocolate cake and angel food cake (there is also one for a youth-division brownie). Here, winning the blue ribbon is nice, but it’s the cash that matters. We’re talking between $100 and $500 for a pie! “You really need to study the premium book and learn the rules of the contest,” Deb explains.

Again, she points to the Food Channel and pastry chefs with their own shows for driving competition – even on the local level. “Everything has been taken up a notch,” she remarks. “Now your product has to be better than good. That’s why I added creativity to my pies.”

Eric Lukacs, who is a member of the city’s Mounted Police Unit, enters the conversation. The unit’s horses make their home at Long’s Park, where Deb is the maintenance supervisor. “Her apple pie is the real deal,” he says. “It’s insane!” And, her whoopie pies? “They’re amazing!” he says of the perks of being at the park.

What’s Deb’s secret to baking an award-winning pie? She says it’s the crust. “It must be very flaky – almost like a croissant – and rich. The ratio of liquids to dry is critical. My mother can feel if it’s right with her hands. I’m getting there.” She also credits apples from Cherry Hill Orchards for her award-winning pies. “I use Crispin or Granny Smiths,” she reports.

Deb plans to begin her quest for another Pennsylvania Farm Show championship at the Elizabethtown Fair. She did a practice run in Intercourse in June, where she and 27 Amish ladies competed in an apple pie contest. She proudly claimed the blue ribbon.

The rules state that a win at one local fair punches your ticket for January’s big show in Harrisburg. Deb likes to get that win early. Otherwise, chasing after a blue ribbon becomes a nerve-wracking process. That occurred several years ago with one of the cake categories. A final opportunity came at the end of fair season in Dillsburg. Deb was grateful to walk away with the blue ribbon and a ticket to the Farm Show’s competition.

Deb vows to always be a part of fair season, whether it’s as an observer, a competitor or a judge (she earned her credentials in January). “Every September, I’m 12 years old again,” she says.

This year marks the 44th edition of Elizabethtown’s fair, which traditionally kicks off fair season in Lancaster County. The fair was originally held at Elizabethtown College, where festivities and competitive events were held in two tents. Thanks to a partnership among the fair, the Elizabethtown Area School District and Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, the fair now makes its home on acreage that adjoins the high school and church.

The fair prides itself on its agricultural roots, as it offers visitors the opportunity to see the various components of agriculture: how food is grown, livestock, and the newest machinery and technology. The talents of area home bakers and cooks are also on display as the fair hosts the highly competitive PA Preferred Chocolate Baking, Blue Ribbon Apple Pie and Angel Food Cake contests among others.

The fair also signals the beginning of competition season for market livestock, i.e. lambs, goats, swine, and beef and dairy cows.

And, there are contests for those who are not connected to the farm, including photography (babies and pets), arts and crafts (which are auctioned on Friday night), and frog jumping. Cornhole and Buck Shot tournaments are also held.

Children’s activities include pie eating, mini hay bale tossing and egg & spoon races. The always-popular Celebrity Milking Contest attracts a large audience. The fair also hosts a talent show and a Senior King and Queen contest, which is held Wednesday, Senior Citizen’s Day.

Demonstrations are also held and include fleece-to-shawl, sheep herding and martial arts. The always-popular petting zoo is a favorite with the fair’s youngest visitors.

E-town also crowns a Fair Queen. The fair’s 2013 queen, Lia Schmittel, went on to become the State Fair Queen, while last year’s queen, Madison Rivera, finished in the top 5 in state competition.

The fair also boasts other bragging rights. The fair’s secretary, Dr. Sally Nolt, was elected to serve as the vice president of the Pennsylvania Association of County Fairs, which oversees the state’s 109 fairs. After serving a two-year term, Dr. Nolt will become the president of the association.

The association also sponsors a contest for the fairs. Last year, the Elizabethtown Fair claimed four first-prizes in various categories as well as a third-place award, which resulted in the fair taking Best of Show honors.

The fair also has a fun component, as there is a Midway with rides (cost-saving promos are held each day), plus nightly entertainment (Flamin’ Dick & the Hot Rods will perform Thursday night).

Last, but not least, is the food component. You name it, and E-town probably has it. Many civic organizations and church groups have food stands through which funding is raised for community projects. One of the most popular is the Elizabethtown Area Grange’s milkshake stand, where the secret ingredient is ice cream. Last year the buzz centered around a bacon-flavored milkshake that one of the stands devised. Also of note is the auction of baked goods from the various contests that is held Tuesday evening.

The fair wraps up with fireworks Saturday night.

In the spring of 1981, Denver residents interested in launching a community fair met at a local restaurant to discuss their options. The enthusiasm for the project prompted the group of volunteers to organize a fair for that September.

Apparently, the organizers’ enthusiasm for the event was shared by area residents as more than 5,000 descended on the park on the first day of the two-day fair. Entertainment included a Friday night parade and a performance by the Younger Brothers, whose stage was a flat-bed truck.

Initially, the fair committee operated as an offshoot of the Denver Lions Club. However, in 1990, the committee applied for nonprofit status with the state. Today, the committee, which is comprised of 17 members (and is backed by hundreds of volunteers), sponsors events outside of the fair and plays an important role in the beautification and upkeep of the park, thanks to donations totaling more than $200,000. The Denver Fair also provides a Cocalico High School senior with a scholarship each year.

Over the years, the fair has grown into a five-day event that salutes agriculture, local businesses, education, family and community. While the parade is no longer held, the fair’s creative minds have devised contests that have helped to attract as many as 80,000 visitors on an annual basis. Consider the event that generated the most notoriety (and press coverage): Cow Chip Poker (or Bingo). The premise is simple: a field is divided into squares that are “sold” to the public; when all the squares are sold, a cow is released to do its thing. The winner of the contest is determined by where the “chips” fall.

Other attention-generating events devised by Denver’s fair committee include the current Jell-O Eating and Celebrity Hot Wing Eating contests. In the past, contestants have vied for top honors in Boy George Look Alike and Smelly Sneaker competitions.

Traditional events also distinguish the Denver Fair. You can play bingo to your heart’s content, as the game is made available on all five days of the fair. There’s also a Pet Show and a Baby Parade. Livestock shows are held during the week, with a Friday auction culminating the competition. Baked goods are auctioned on Tuesday evening. The highly competitive Bucket Brigade Contest is waged on Friday. A Business Expo will be held on Wednesday evening.

Miss Denver Fair is crowned on Tuesday evening. The fair takes pride in the fact that Beth Paul, Denver’s queen in 1994, went on to become the State Fair Queen.

Entertainment includes a salute to Celebrating Music in Our Schools, which is presented by the Cocalico School District. This year’s fair will close with rock ‘n roll, courtesy of Flamin’ Dick & the Hot Rods.

The always-popular Midway features 25 rides (money-saving plans are offered each day).

And, of course, there’s food, and lots of it, as 100 food stands (many operated by community groups) and concessions fill the park.