Many communities come together for Village Affair

"We will fill the halls on this day that draws many communities together," says Pam Folkens, co-chair of the 2018 Village Affair.
"It's a day for all ages and genders to shop and have fun," added Folkens' co-chair Mandy Doocy. Folkens represents the American Association for University Women (AAUW), and Doocy represents the Women of Today. Both organizations are sponsoring the event.
Christmas is not that far away and this is a time to begin Christmas shopping, Folkens and Doocy encourage.
Blooming Prairie's 46th annual Village Affair takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Blooming Prairie High School.
Admission is free. Visitors come to the Village Affair to pick up many hand-crafted items.
Lunch will be served from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food will be prepared by Conger Inn Victory Catering of Conger. Beverages and goodies will be served all day.
The Village Affair spotlights more than 80 craft exhibitors. These two organizations joined hands five years ago to continue this well-attended event.
Hundreds of shoppers are drawn to this one-day event.
More than 137 booths were rented last year. Booths will be set up in the commons area, in one section of the gymnasium and in the east and west hallways.
Vendors come from all over. Look for exhibitors from these areas: Blooming Prairie, Owatonna, Mankato, Rochester, Faribault, Rose Creek, New Richland, Winona, Blue Earth, Geneva, Grand Meadow, Austin, Albert Lea, Madison Lake, Dodge Center, Waseca, Kasson and Ellendale.
"There's something for everybody," remarked Folkens.
Here's some items shoppers may find at the Village Affair: hand sewn items, holiday items, hand woven rugs, scrap booking materials, baked goods, jewelry, ceramics, candles, handbags, pottery, wood pieces, painted wood, fabric items, jams and jellies and home decor pieces.
Hand knit, crochet, sewn and embroidered items include: rugs, hats, scarves, mittens, children's sweaters, scrubbies, dish towels, dish cloths, pot holders, cross-stitch bread cloths, pillow cases, placemats, dolls and doll clothes, mittens, baby and kids quilts, bears, bibs, hooded towels, sheets, bibs and burpies, pillows, table runners, micro bowls, Christmas stockings, doll clothes, doll sleeping bags, quilted items and tote bags.
Other items include: jewelry of all kinds; 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.
Look for these wood items: 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.
Check out these brand items: Norwex, Tastefuly Simple, Essential Oils, Pink Zebra, Thirty One gifts, Lula Roe, Scentsy, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Stamping Up, Watkins, us borne books and do terra.
Shoppers at the Village Affair can pick up fall arrangements, holiday decors and of course, many items for Christmas. Many of the items are hand crafted.
"If you've never been to this event, you are in for a treat," Folkens says. Raffle tickets at $2 each will be on sale, the prize being a goodie basket of items coming from Minnesota.
"It's pretty hard to find a festival that has lasted 46 years," Folkens said in praising the organizers of the Village Affair over the years. "Especially in crafting," she added.
The Blooming Prairie Cancer Group will be selling homemade baked goods including lefse and have had a thriving business in the past.
Folkens and Doocy both praise the 20-25 volunteer workers from both the AAUW and Women of Today who help with this popular community event.
Funds from the event are directed to scholarships next spring. Students are encouraged to apply in April. The awards go to traditional and non-traditional students.
AAUW scholarships for 2018 were given to Jerrin Jax and Mitchell Oswald at $700 each and to Mandy Doocy, $600. Women of Today scholarships were given to Rose Johnson, $500.
If anyone is interested in being a vendor in 2018, or returning as a vendor in 2019, contact the Village Affair Facebook page, or call Folkens at 507-391-4336.