Hometown Christmas Craft Show celebrates local artisans

By Care Lucas

Norfolk County residents had the opportunity to knock a few more loved ones off their shopping lists Dec. 7 and 8 with the annual Hometown Christmas Craft Show. The event, which took place at the Port Rowan Community Centre, featured local makers and artisans.

The idea for the show was inspired by the November Shop the Shore event. One group of friends enjoyed Shop the Shore so much, they wondered if it would be worthwhile to plan a craft show closer to Christmas. Three of those friends were Charlene Propper, Amanda Swackhammer, and Glenda Filmore, and they continue to co-organize the event today.

The friends started small, but the event has continued to grow since then.

“It took us [roughly] 10 days to fill the community centre with vendors for the Christmas one,” Propper said. It was such a success that they organized another craft show in the summer. At one point the team had organized a craft show in St. Williams, but they quickly outgrew that location, with vendors spilling out around the building. “We had so many people interested in us doing another one that we decided to go to Port Rowan because the venue was [bigger].”

Propper said this year the show featured over 40 vendors with unique gift ideas—everything from knitting to food spices, Christmas wreaths to photos, wooden signs, tumblers and homemade blankets. There was also lemonade available for purchase. And Propper herself was there as a vendor, selling her one-of-a-kind ceramics.

But it’s the atmosphere that Propper said really makes the weekend feel special. “We have music playing, not very loud, but we still have music playing so that it’s more cheerful,” she said. “We make sure that everyone’s happy. So the vendors have come back to us and keep telling us, ‘We want to come to you again because you are [a fun] group to be with.’”

Propper said the event is becoming a tradition, attracting returning vendors and regular shoppers alike. The summer craft show welcomed shoppers from outside Norfolk County as well because seasonal campers and cottagers were in town. But Propper said her team focused on advertising in surrounding areas like Tillsonburg, Simcoe and Courtland before the Christmas show in the hopes that would generate new foot traffic. She expected more shoppers would be looking to shop local this year.

“[With] the mail strike being on right now, a lot of people aren’t shopping online anymore. So to get those really neat [gift ideas], might help the vendors sell a little bit more for this Christmas,” Propper said.

The event also encourages vendors to connect with one another. In addition to the friendship she’s made with her fellow co-organizers, Propper said her favourite part about the craft show is meeting new people. She believes events like this are vital for local vendors but cautioned vendors who might be interested in getting involved with future events to be vigilant online.

Propper warned of an online scam where someone poses as one of the craft show’s co-organizers. Artisans could think they are talking to a member of the Hometown Christmas Craft Show team when in reality, someone is posing as them in an attempt to collect money from the unsuspecting vendor.

Propper said her team will reach out to vendors directly and when the spots are filled for the event, she will post that they are no longer accepting vendors.

“We’ve got to always be watching for that,” Propper said. “[Scams] are all over the place.”

Despite that, Propper and her team are excited to see more vendors at future events. It’s not just about shopping, some of the vendors are there for a great cause, including Purrfect Companions, Abel Enterprises and the Food Bank.

Propper said their craft show events are a great opportunity to find a loved one a gift they’ll cherish. “I try to think of the person [I’m buying for]… If I’m going to spend the money, it’s got to be something they really want.”

Originally printed in The Good News, January 2025.