By Vita Duva, Correspondent
Get ready to get crafty, Cranbury!, Next month, the township, in collaboration with the Cranbury Education Foundation, will host its 20th annual Cranbury Craft Show, featuring 120 quality, juried artisans., The craft show will take place on Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, March 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cranbury School., “We are pleased and appreciate how the community has embraced our show for the past 20 years,” said show coordinator, Susan Kasziba. “This love and support for our show enables us to continue to include such talented and varied artists. We truly believe there is something for everyone at the Cranbury Craft Show.”, New crafters will join returning favorites to showcase work in a variety of mixed media, including jewelry-making, pottery and glass crafts, textiles, wood and furniture pieces, and so on., Aside from endless browsing and shopping, craft show attendees can also partake in the 50/50 raffle, grab a bite to eat in the Garden Café or stop by the Kids Center to have some artistic fun with the whole family., Cranbury local Janet Paxton, who not only helped to pioneer the event, but boost its continued and increased popularity over the years, first started the craft show in 1997., Before the Cranbury School’s addition of the new gymnasium, the show had to be held in the auditorium and cafeteria, and even the classrooms from time to time., In the event’s third year – 1999 – the show featured 70 crafters, and drew 200 attendees. Last year, the show welcomed more than 2,000 guests making 2016 the most highly attended show to date., “After 20 years, our craft show embodies the spirit of Cranbury, which is constantly changing, yet remaining familiar,” said Lia Mazzoni, who handles marketing for the show. “The craft show characterizes all of the things that make Cranbury a special place to live – teamwork, community service, fun and dedication across generations.”, The show is sponsored by the Cranbury Education Foundation, and acts as a yearly fundraiser for the Cranbury School., “The biggest reward of all is knowing that all of this support and enthusiasm from the shoppers and the crafters translates directly to the students,” said Kasziba. “The Cranbury Education Foundation is then able to fund large capital projects, such as mobile computer labs, construction grants, updated playground equipment, musical instruments and art supplies, teacher grants for continuing education and overall support in times of continued budget pressures.”, Admission for the event is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for students. The Cranbury School is located at 23 North Main Street in town., For more information, visit www.cranburyeducationfoundation.org or https://www.facebook.com/cranburycraftshow.
