Unique shopping by the sea in Stone Harbor

The 46th annual Stone Harbor Arts and Crafts show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 and 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As many as three hundred and twenty-five artists and crafters from all over the country as far away as Wisconsin will be displaying and selling their work during the event.
The show brings an estimated 30,000 visitors to the borough’s recreation field at 80th Street directly across from the beach. Also, there will be a food court and picnic tent for the enjoyment of the many visitors who attend this event each year.
“I have spoken to many people who have centered this vacation around this event,” organizer, John Atwell said. They make shopping the show part of vacation that includes visits to local hotels and motels, restaurants, beaches and shops. In fact, many of the crafters even make a vacation out the weekend, he said.
According to Atwood, the event began as an art show, but grew over time to include handmade crafts, as well as fine arts.
“Now its mostly crafts with a nice section of fine arts,” he said.
Sunshine Artists Magazine, the who’s who of craft shows rates the Stone Harbor event number 12 nationally and number 1 in the state of New Jersey for contemporary arts and crafts. It’s proximity to the beach and the impressive variety of merchandise makes it extremely popular. The focus is on unique handcrafts and art, not ‘buy and sell’ items found at many flea markets.
“We make a great effort to keep ‘buy and sell’ out of the event,” Atwell said, and if a vendor does not sell handcrafts they’re not invited back.
And in general crafters want to come back. After all, Atwell said that many of the show’s repeat customers begin eyeing up merchandise long before the show’s official 9 a.m. opening.
“There are people shopping as early as 7:30 or 8 a.m.,” he said. “It is very, very well-attended.”
Parking is at a premium, so shoppers are encouraged to take the free trolley to the show. It runs from 60th Street in Avalon to 122nd Street in Stone Harbor. There are six designated stops around town, but if it is not full, it will stop on demand. (All you have to do is wave.)
For the location of the trolley stops and more information on the show, call 609-368-5102.