Nice weather brings large crowd to Village Affair

"What a day!"
That was the breathless comment of a visitor to the 47th Annual Village Affair staged in Blooming Prairie at the high school on Saturday, Oct. 26.
More than 80 exhibitors were present to show off their crafts and other unique wares. These exhibitors rented over 140 spaces, said event chairs Pam Folkens of the AAUW and Mandy Doocy of the Women of Today.
Many items were unique and one of a kind.
The craft show ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with food served from the kitchens of the Conger Inn Victory Catering of Conger.
The 2019 event had no more than closed its doors than vendors were asking to sign up for next year. Folkens said signups will begin closer to the date of the 2020 show.
Some of the items this year included: jewelry of all kinds; kids toys, night lights and lamps; soaps, candles, wax melts, goat milk soaps, lip balm, deodorant; home decor, florals, centerpieces; purses, sweatshirts, caps and wind chimes; holiday decor for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas; Rosemaling, Norwegian theme pottery; unique clothing and accessories for women and youth.
Wood items included a large assortment of hand-made wooden toys, barns, rocking horses, trucks;; cutting boards, coat racks, stools, serving trays; small wood crafts, snowmen, signs; repurposed barn wood, decorated windows; bird houses and feeders, doll beds; seasonal wood decor, wreaths,, swags; wood fire hand-painted signs and planters, signs and small furniture.
"We couldn't be more happy with the outcome," said Doocy. "There was something for everyone," remarked Folkens. Both said this year's event was maybe the largest in history.
Mike Woods of Woody's Woodworks of Blooming Prairie was set up outside the school near the front entrance. The sun shined on him this year, a contrast to last year when rain pelted him.
If anyone is interested in returning as a vendor in 2020, contact the Village Affair Facebook page, or call Folkens at 507-391-4336 or Doocy at 507-530-5084.
A raffle featured a Minnesota basket of 32 items as the main prize. The winner was Barbara Peterson of Blooming Prairie.
The following items were in the Minnesota basket: (Everything was made or produced in Minnesota or had a Minnesota theme) wild rice, dish towels, cookie cutters, state location sponge, Minnesota carry bag, maple syrup, choke cherry honey, coasters, Schell's Sangria, MinneSalsa, Home for the Holidays in MN sign, stemless wine glass set, cheesy all purpose seasoning, pillow case set, salt water taffy, note pad, chip & dip bowl, beer bread mix, strawberry jam, Minnesota socks,
Minnesota made Wine, MN mug, MN shaped cutting board, Blooming Prairie greeting cards, gift certificate to Prairie Home and woven multi purpose basket.