PIERSON, Man. – Corinne Elliott had her eyes on a special item during Pierson’s annual craft fair Oct. 3.
Among the many crafts displayed, Elliott was pondering the purchase of a homemade doll. “I have a granddaughter who I think would like one of those,” said Elliott, a Napinka, Man., resident.
Elliott had already bought a sweatshirt, some buns, fudge and soup packages at the fair. During a brief rest from shopping, she marvelled at the quality of crafts displayed.
“There’s just tremendous stuff,” she said. “I’m amazed at the talent.”
Read Also
Russian wheat exports start to pick up the pace
Russia has had a slow start for its 2025-26 wheat export program, but the pace is starting to pick up and that is a bearish factor for prices.
More than 2,000 people traveled to this southwestern corner of Manitoba for the Carnival of Crafts. There were 89 booths, giving people a variety for browsing. Exhibitors came from as far away as Alberta and Quebec. The crafts ranged from knitting and woodwork through to dough art, ceramics, beeswax candles and wheat weaving.
Randy and Shirley Bergman, of Ridgedale, Sask., drove more than six hours to display their stained glass wares at the fair. Midway through the day, Randy was confident the trip was worthwhile.
“It’s been excellent,” he said while arranging some sparkling glass ornaments at his table. “It’s a good crowd and they’re buying a lot of things.”
It was the Bergmans’ first year at the Pierson carnival. They hope to return next year. Randy was impressed by how well the event was organized. When he arrived at the skating rink, eight volunteers helped prepare his display.
There was a social quality about this year’s craft fair. The event gave people a chance to mingle with friends and neighbors, while perhaps making some new acquaintances.
“This is my hometown, so I enjoy visiting people as much as anything,” said Laurie Cole, of Gainsborough, Sask.
The Carnival of Crafts was started in 1979 by five local women with an interest in crafts. They saw it as a way to raise money for the upkeep of the Pierson skating arena. Today, the arena continues to operate in the black.
The craft fair is a huge undertaking for the community of 230 people. Much of the credit for its success goes to the volunteers.
“Without the volunteers it doesn’t happen,” said Brenda Riddell, an organizer of the event.
Despite its popularity, Riddell said there are no plans to make the event bigger in coming years.
“We don’t have any more space and we don’t have any more volunteers,” she explained. “Our whole community pulls together to get through the day. To go bigger, we can’t do it.”
