The Charles Dickens Christmas Craft Faire is the first major craft fair of the season in the Comox Valley.
This successful event in its 17th year has become a tradition in the Valley as shoppers have the opportunity to do their Christmas shopping early in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere filled with the sights and smells of Christmas. The faire offers two floors of outstanding arts and crafts,
Organizers have lined up an exceptional variety of quality, handcrafted gifts made by over 60 well-known artists and crafters. The Faire is certain to have something for everyone.
For that nature lover on your list, be sure to check out the fine selection of Comox Valley scenery photography, cards, and calendars from award-winning photographers. There will be artists with their artwork and mixed media.
Also expect to see a great variety of wood including, intarsia, turned wooden bowls, burls, candlesticks, cutting boards from local wood, and wooden ornaments. The show will feature a range of different beauty and bath products, soaps, lotions and organic essential oils, bath minerals and gifts of relaxation.
There will be lavender products, beeswax candles, hand-dipped candles, stained glass, fused glass, hand painted glass, and glass jewellery, decorative pottery, engraved pewter and pewter bowls, metal art as well as exquisite quilted items from the Schoolhouse Quilters Guild.
And whether you are shopping for children or an avid toy collector, look forward to the Faire's selection of novelty toy art, Santas (one is six feet tall) and teddy bears.
There will be a beautiful selection of handcrafted jewelry, sterling silver and other precious metals, opals, pearls, crystals and lampwork beads. For the avid cook, there will be cranberry preserves produced locally, flavoured vinegars, jams, jellies, gourmet specialty foods and hand-made chocolates.
Upstairs, SPCA volunteers will increase awareness of the Society and to raise much-needed funds for the cause through a draw by donation. These donations from the crafters will be available as draw prizes as well as other items donated for this worthwhile cause.
YANA (You Are Not Alone) will be there on Sunday, with their Christmas crackers for sale. This is now a Comox Valley tradition and has proved to be a popular fundraiser, selling out each year well before the holidays begin. This year's prize, hidden in one of the crackers, is a diamond ring.
The Faire will feature daily draw prizes, tickets free with admission. These daily draw prizes include four tickets to the December performance called Mary Christmas produced by and featuring the Co-Val Choristers.
The Faire hours are: Nov. 11 from 3 to 8 p.m., Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 13 from 10 to 4. Admission is $2 (no charge for children).
The Florence Filberg Centre is wheelchair accessible and there is free parking. For more information, phone 250-339-9891, e-mail dickens.faire@gmail.com or visit www.dickenschristmascraftfair.com.
— Charles Dickens Christmas Craft Faire