A“Craft Fair with a Heart” will be held Thursday, Dec. 6, through Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Butler Building, located next to the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
For the second year, the Rotary Club of Hilo is hosting this local-style fair, which places the emphasis on “made on this island” gifts. Hours of the fair are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
“There are so many talented crafters here on our beautiful island,” said Marcia Prose, chairwoman for the event. “We don’t allow any ‘re-sellers’ in our fair, so you won’t find purses made in China or T-shirts produced in Hong Kong. Only original, hand-crafted items that offer a piece of aloha from the Big Island.”
What makes this event a “Craft Fair with a Heart”? Not only will you find your friends and neighbors, both shoppers and vendors, but you will find two charitable organizations and Waiakea High School Students involved.
Since 1964, the Big Island Substance Abuse Council has been inspiring individuals and families to reclaim and enrich their lives in the wake of the ravages of substance abuse. They will bring their “ono-licious” Island Fusion Food Truck for hungry shoppers. BISAC doesn’t just sell food, they first teach participants how to grow the ingredients, then how to cook them up and sell them. And don’t forget to stop by their clothing booth inside the building.
The Salvation Army will have its “Angel Tree” set up from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.
Shoppers can select a card from the Angel Tree that explains a child in need wants for Christmas. Then the person buys that present and returns it to the Salvation Army for distribution.
Waiakea High School Interact will be providing gift wrapping by donation starting at 3 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday.
Shoppers are invited to stop by the Rotary booth inside the building and pick up an entry blank to win a door prizes and learn a bit about Rotary and the Rotary Club of Hilo.