Craft show competes with football in Batavia

Well, let’s hope the Bulldogs win.

That was the prevalent thought among many of the people who manned the 30 or so booths at the third annual MALLternative, a craft and vendor show Saturday to benefit the ministries of Calvary Episcopal Church in Batavia.

Attendance was below what organizers had hoped for because most of Batavia was preoccupied with Batavia High School’s football playoff game, said Laurie Stephans, who coordinated the show that took place at Bethany Ministry Center.

“Last year we had torrential rain,” Stephan said. “I don’t know who we have to talk to about rain and football!”

Still, by lunchtime about 100 people had perused the variety of goods for sale, including handmade crafts, jewelry, food and kitchen products, candles, purses, clothing and even chiropractic services.

Karen and Daniel Rivera of Montgomery were on their way to a craft show in St. Charles when they spotted the sign advertising the Batavia show. Karen bought an appetizer plate depicting a snowman — she loves snowmen, she explained — while Daniel purchased a potpourri set for the basement, where he watches TV.

Karen also made off with a recipe for caramelized pecans that she got from vendor Shannon Warford, of Elburn, who sells Pampered Chef products. “They are delicious!” Karen said.

Shopper Cheri Phillips, of Oswego, used her lunch break from her job at a hair salon in Geneva to drop by the show. She was hoping to find some feathered earrings, but had no luck, she said. “They had a lot of jewelry, including handmade, it was kind of neat,” she said.

Some of the crafts were made by church members, including Sharon Nemedi, of Sugar Grove, who made dozens of items in September in preparation for the show. “This year I got bit by the crafting bug,” she said.

Laurie Milbourn, owner of Going To My Happy Place yoga studio in St. Charles, said it made a difference to her that her vendor fee goes to the church’s outreach programs, like food assistance to the needy.

“I like participating in events that have a benefit to someone or something who needs it,” she said.

As for the Bulldogs, they fell short, losing to Prairie Ridge 33-22.