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The Spring Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair

Spring Arts and Crafts Event Brings in Top Talent

The 2018 Spring Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair will run from April 13-15 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.
The 2018 Spring Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair will run from April 13-15 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.

People often come back to The Spring Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair year after year.

But it’s never the same old, same old.

“The exhibitors are always really good about keeping up with the current trends and colors,” said Jennifer Foland, event coordinator for organizers Huffman Productions, Inc. “They really are at the top of their game.”

The three-day event returns to Canterbury Park from April 13-15, with about 500 exhibitors from 30 different states showing off their wares.

“These are the most talented artists and crafters in the country,” Foland said.

Just like the artisans themselves, planners work to keep the event fresh each year, Foland said. A panel selects the exhibitors, ensuring 25 percent are new for the event, and limits the number in each artistic medium.

“That way, customers when they come through the door will be able to see their favorites, but also see something new, as well,” Foland said.

People often make a day of the Spring Festival — getting a group of friends together, shopping for a few hours, then enjoying everything Canterbury Park has to offer, Foland said.

“It’s a festive, fun atmosphere,” she said.

The event, which has been voted one of the top 100 shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine, also features:

  • A rotating cast of musicians
  • Hourly gift certificate drawings
  • Food and drink for sale

 

Over the years, Foland said she has seen mothers and daughters come to The Spring Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair, only to see the daughter pushing a stroller a few years later.

The 2018 Spring Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair will run from April 13-15 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.
The 2018 Spring Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair brings out some of the nations top crafters and artisans.

“It’s generations of people,” she said. “It’s definitely family-friendly.”

The most common question Foland gets is how long shoppers generally stay. It’s typically 3-4 hours, she said.

Foland’s parents, who were arts-and-crafters, founded the company more than 35 years ago after going to shows. She said her father didn’t like the way they were organized.

“So they made up their own rules,” Foland said.

And while she said she appreciates the talent of the exhibitors, Foland is not much of a crafter herself.

“My brain doesn’t work on the artistic side,” she said with a laugh.

Details

Show Hours

Friday, April 13 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, April 14 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 15 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission

Adults: $9

Seniors: $8

Children under 10 get in free

Parking is free