The entire Sports and Civic Center as well as Carey Stadium at 6th St. off the Boardwalk will be transformed into a giant and colorful indoor-outdoor Art, Craft and Gourmet Food Festival. Over 200 unique artisans from throughout the East Coast will exhibit and sell here attracted by the promotional expertise of JoAnne and Norman Schaut who have the golden touch when it comes to producing crowd pleasing extravaganzas.
Over the past five years, the Schauts have set all-time attendance records for Ocean City venues including the City’s historic Music Pier and Tabernacle grounds.
All of the profits from ticket sales and booth rentals are donated to local charities. The Ocean City Food Cupboard alone will have received over $100,000.
When newcomer Peg Fulton, runs across chipped vintage teacups or broken mosaic tiles or odd pieces of hardware, she magically turns this unique “junque” into decorative wall hangings. Partner, Rich McNally fashions tiny antique spoons and fork handles into delicate, silver earrings.
The couple will be joined by a legion of talented artisans including Brian Brenner of Punxsutawney, Pa. who frames exotic insects in shadow boxes; Barbara Brodack of Cochranville, Pa. who constructs children’s clocks; James Grimes of Pockabooka who fashions children’s jackets and dresses from vintage textiles.
There will be many others who produce items like hand painted feathers, pressed flower pictures, pine needle wicker baskets, hand painted glass, Christmas polymer clay ornaments, custom wrought iron crafts and mirrors, dried florals and wreaths, sweet breads, cakes, jams, butters and pecan yummies.
The huge Summer Festival will feature an array of specialties plus the finest practical gifts and home décor. These include fine art and photography, custom jewelry designs, fall fashions, gourds, potpourri, serving pieces and much more.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The charitable donation is $3, children are free. For information call the Jersey Shore Artisans Guild, 800-822-4112 or 609-399-9998 or visit www.oceancitycraftshows.com
