Tri-Cities arts and crafts
Nov. 7
Holiday Market Sale: The Swing Set Preschool will host the event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Congregational Church of St. Charles, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. swing setpreschool.org.
Nov. 14
Holiday Art & Craft Show: The Mothers Club of Geneva will have its 35th annual Holiday Art & Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 at Geneva High School, 416 McKinley Ave. More than 100 artists and crafters will be selling gifts for the holidays. There also will be a luncheon and homestyle bakery. Admission is $4 or free for those under age 12. Proceeds from this event benefit many local nonprofit organizations. For details, call Katie Tabor at (630) 345-4020 or visit mothersclubofgeneva.com.
Nov. 14-15
Christmas in the Country: The 30th annual Christmas in the Country arts and crafts show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. The show will be held at Sandwich High School, Lynn Haskin Grade School and Sandwich Middle School. There will be a shuttle bus for easy access to all three buildings. It will feature crafts such as hand-painted mirrors, crocheted purses, items made from silverware, wax luminaries, dog treats, metal works and furniture. Admission will be $2 and your stamped hand will allow you into each building. Proceeds benefit the band programs. No strollers or smoking will be allowed in any building. For details, visit sandwich-il.org.
Nov. 21
Holiday Craft Fair: Marklund's 2009 Holiday Craft Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Marklund Hyde Center, 1S450 Wyatt Drive, Geneva. There will be many crafters selling their handmade items. The Holiday Craft Fair also welcomes cosmetics and food vendors. In addition, there will be a Marklund booth featuring items handcrafted by Marklund's developmental training clients. For information, call Peggy Szarzynski at (630) 593-5475 or pszarzynski@marklund.org.
Shop for Shelter: St. Mark's Lutheran Church in St. Charles will host a benefit for Lazarus House, "Shop for Shelter," from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Come and join us at this fabulous shopping fundraiser for Lazarus House homeless shelter in St. Charles. Shop for a good cause in convenience and warmth at more than 25 vendor booths with something for everyone, from fashion, jewelry, health and beauty, home goods, kitchen ware, and more. There will be door prizes and giveaways, as well as a cafe for refreshments. Visit the K-LOVE radio and Lazarus House booths. Admission and parking are free. The church is at 101 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. For details, call (630) 888-6755.
Craft fair: Jefferson Middle School, 1151 Plum St., Aurora, is looking for vendors/crafters to be part of the school's first craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Booth rental is $20 for a 10- by 10-foot space, $5 for an 8-foot table to be provided and $5 for electricity; limited space is available. All vendors are required to donate one item to be raffled with a minimum value of $10. Any vendor interested in participating can call Melena Gaspadarek at (630) 301-5306.
Nov. 21-22
Festival of Arts & Crafts Show: The show will feature 170 booths of quality handcrafted items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at the DuPage Expo, 4050 E. Main St., St. Charles. Cost is $2 or free for ages under 12. There is free parking. For exhibitor information, call (847) 301-8543 or visit stepbystepcraftshows.com.
Nov. 27
MALLternative - A Holiday Bazaar and Vendor Show: Why fight the crowds at the mall the day after Thanksgiving, when you can do one-stop shopping at Calvary's Holiday Bazaar and Vendor Show? Crafts, holiday items, things for the home, jewelry - something for everyone. All proceeds benefit the outreach ministries of Calvary, including such local agencies as Mutual Ground, Lazarus House, Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Hesed House. The show is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, at Calvary Episcopal Church, 222 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31) in Batavia. Admission is free.
Nov. 28-29
Christmas Craft Show: Marmion Academy Alumni Association is sponsoring its 19th annual "A Marmion Family Christmas" Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, in school gymnasium at 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. Parking is free both days with free shuttle bus service on Saturday. The cost of admission is $3 for those age 12 and older.