 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
|||
 |
||||
 |
||||
 |
||||
News Release 4-2-2001 |
|
|
FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY BEGINS WITH THE MOUNTAIN STATE ART & CRAFT FAIR JULY 4-7, 2001 Website: www.msacf.com Location: Cedar Lakes Conference Center Ripley, WV Contact: 1-800-CALL-WVA Affectionately known in West Virginia as "the granddaddy of art and craft fairs," the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair (MSACF) brings thousands of visitors to the City of Ripley during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. More than 200 artists not only display and sell their crafts, but also demonstrate how each work of art is made. "We’ve always been committed to giving visitors a great deal more than a place to shop," said Fair President Jean Smith. "In addition to being able to walk away with a piece of handcrafted art, the Fair also provides an education as to how these beautiful items are made. It’s the personal touch that makes our event so friendly for people." In addition to the warm atmosphere, visitors to the Fair are certain to see the finest talents. "We have a rigorous jury process that our artists must pass," Smith said. "They are required to jury a year prior to the Fair, and our standards are very high. Over the years, we’ve earned the reputation for having the finest art and crafts. Through the hard work of our judges, we keep the level of quality that our many return visitors have come to expect." Mountain State Art & Craft Fair (continued) July 4-7, 2001 However, the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair is far more than a collection of artisans. "Traditions play a big role in our Fair’s planning," Smith said. "From delicious food to strolling musicians, we try to create an atmosphere that is a step back in time. You get a flavor of what life was like in years ago. It’s what creates great memories for visitors to take back home." With its traditions, the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair has recently added more events for children. "We’ve wanted to increase the activities for children at the Fair by adding more storytellers and musicians that children would enjoy," Smith said. "We’ve also partnered with Sunrise Museum to give our younger visitors a chance to try their hands at making some artwork of their own." With 75 percent of the artists exhibiting at the Fair from West Virginia, the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair is still an annual tradition that remains close to its roots. "We’ve always been a great ambassador for West Virginia," said Smith. "While we want to continue to improve the Fair and create new things for visitors to experience, we also want to remain loyal to our history. I believe the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair’s success each year is maintained by keeping our goals of heritage and quality. I hope our visitors will agree." To find out more information about the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair, please contact 1-800-CALL-WVA, or www.msacf.com. (During the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair, please contact 304/372-3247 for a media pass.) |
|
|
|
|
©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
|
|
Contact the Webmaster
|
|
|
|