Fox Valley arts and crafts shows

Oct. 10-11

Fall Diddley: The juried craft show features artisans from all over the United States from 9 a.m. to 5 p. m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Boone County Fairgrounds, routes 20 and 76, Belvidere. Admission is $6 for ages 12 and older. It benefits the Mental Health Resource League of McHenry County. (815) 385-5745 or visit mhrl.org.

Oct. 16

Autumn Drive: Antiques, arts and crafts, pumpkins, hayrides at 12 county farms in McHenry County will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Oct. 18, along Garden Valley Road, one mile north of Route 176, Woodstock. For details, call (815) 923-2415 or visit autumndrive.net.

Oct. 17

36th annual craft fair:: St. Paul United Church of Christ, 485 Woodstock St. in Crystal Lake, is sponsoring its 36th annual Country Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Approximately 40 area crafters will be on hand with a variety of items for sale, just a few being fall decor, hand-carved wooden items, jewelry, ornaments, and painted items. A silent auction, bakery and a lunch will be featured. A drawing, consisting of several items, including a queen-sized off-white and forest green one patch quilt and handcrafted walnut quilt rack will be available. The recently published church cookbook, with 500 recipes, will also be available for purchase. The church is handicapped accessible and the event is free. For information, call the church at (815) 459-5096 or visit stpaulsucccl.org.

Gingerbread Bazaar: Sign up now for the Epworth UMC Gingerbread Bazaar and Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Tables are 5 feet long and cost $25. This is an annual holiday bazaar joined with a rummage sale of more than 500 square feet and 50 families. Contact Epworth UMC for more information and registration details, or sign up for your table reservation online at www.epworthumcelgin.org. Call (847) 931-5400 or e-mail office@epworthumcelgin.org to answer questions or concerns. Epworth UMC is at 37W040 Highland Ave. in Elgin.

Oct. 17-18

Fall Art Show: The Dundee Township Park District will host its annual show from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18, at the park district center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. It features more than 100 paintings by a variety of artists. (847) 551-4307.

Oct. 24

Fair Trade Fair: Zion Lutheran Church will host its annual Fair Trade Fare from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the church, 330 Griswold St, Elgin. There will be jewelry, clothes, purses, gift items, olive oil, coffee, chocolate and more. For details, visit zionelginil.org.

Craft fair: Crafters are needed for the fourth annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave., (Route 25) in St. Charles. Applications for this juried show can be downloaded from www.stchalresepiscopal.org or by calling Fay at (630) 497-8799. Only handcrafted items will be sold. Past exhibitors have sold specialty towels, elegant stone oil lamps, wonderful fleece items, Christmas decorations and more.

Nov. 1

Fall festival: The Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars 1307 will host a fall festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the post home, 1601 Weld Road, Elgin. It will feature a basket raffle, bake sale, and a used cookbook sale. There will be Vendors from Watkins, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and Tastefully Simple available for your shopping convenience. The Ladies Auxiliary will be serving a chili and cornbread luncheon for $3 from noon to 2 p.m. Desserts will be available. The Fall Festival is a fundraiser to support national military services and other VFW programs. Come join us for an afternoon of fun and show your support of veterans past, present and future.

Nov. 7

Doorway to the Holidays: Good Shepherd Lutheran School is hosting its annual "Doorway to the Holidays" craft fair and turkey dinner from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. This is a popular event with approximately 300 people attending. They are also seeking food donations for the turkey dinner (turkey, beans, potatoes and cranberry sauce). Anyone interested in renting a table should contact Ann Lesh at alesh@gselgin.org or call the school office at (847) 741-7795.

Holiday in the Halls: Crafters are wanted for the St. Thomas More School annual craft fair and bake sale, "Holiday in the Halls," from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the school, 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. There will be more than 80 booths. For booth information, call Laura Przybylski at (847) 888-4363.

Habitat for Humanity Craft Show: It will feature 35 crafters, bake sale, raffle, cafe from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 12N462 Tina Trail, Elgin. Free admission. It benefits Habitat for Humanity-New Hope.

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. For details, visit swingsetpreschool.org.

Nov. 8

Festival of Arts & Crafts Show: The show features 125 booths of quality handcrafted items 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at Holiday Inn, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake. Cost is $2, free for kids younger than 12. Free parking. For exhibitor information, call (847) 301-8543 or visit stepbystepcraftshows.com.

Nov. 14

Craft fair and luncheon: St. Peter Lutheran Church, 43W301 Plank Road in Hampshire, will host a craft fair and luncheon from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Enjoy a turkey casserole lunch for $7 for adults or $3 for children from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There also will be a silent auction and bake sale. For details, e-mail d.tegtmeier@mchsi.com or call (847) 464-5721.

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. All types of crafters are welcome to apply for booth space. There will be many crafters selling their handmade items as well as gifts. 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. A 6-by-8-foot space is available for $35. A table and electricity each costs $5 extra. Setup times are 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and 7 to 9 a.m. the day of the craft fair. Also, crafters agree to donate one item valued at $5 or more to Marklund for a raffle to be held during the event. Space is limited; crafters and vendors are encouraged to reserve their spots without delay. For details, call Peggy Szarzynski at (630) 593-5475 or pszarzynski@marklund.org.

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, free for kids younger than 12. There is free parking. For exhibitor information, call (847) 301-8543 or visit stepbystep craftshows.com.

Nov. 27

Santa Comes to Hampshire: The Hampshire Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for crafters for their annual Santa Comes to Hampshire event on Friday, Nov. 27. The craft show runs from 4 to 8 p.m. with setup beginning at 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Santa Comes to Hampshire will be held at Hampshire Middle School, 560 S. State St.; the entrance is located on Edgewater Avenue. Space is limited to 25 spots and they are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is $40 and money must be received before your spot will be reserved. Six foot tables are available at an additional cost of $5 per table. Vendors are asked to donate a door prize item. Registration deadline for crafters is Monday, Nov. 2, but space is limited so get your spot today. Visit the Hampshire Area Chamber of Commerce Web site for the crafter application www.hampshirechamber.org. For details, call Robbi Burklow at (847) 514-3657 or Stacey Ekstrom at (847) 683-1122.

Nov. 28

Vendor and Home Decor Fair: The Elgin Junior Woman's Club is hosting a Vendor and Home Decor Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Epworth United Methodist Church, Randall Road and Highland Avenue in Elgin. Items from Mary Kay, Tastefully Simple, Celebrating Home and many more vendors will be available. There will also be craft and bake sale items to choose from. For information, contact (847) 224-4318 or slr735@comcast.net. Proceeds will benefit Children's Research Foundation.