Well, last weekend was a great time for us! As many of you know, it was my birthday last Saturday. More importantly, it was the Little Falls Craft Festival!!!
The fair itself has been going on for 38 years, and I think my family has been going for a majority of that time! How it all started I’m not really sure, but I can remember my grandma (my mom’s mother) and my aunts coming up from Kansas City, MO to go to the craft show. Yes, they drove over 500 miles to go to a craft show! It was only the ladies who went and kids were never allowed because we were too young (so they said!) and it’s just something they did as mother/daughters. They would get up before the sun and not come home until it was dark and they had more treasures than you could imagine!
A few years ago I started going crafting with the ladies 🙂 Unfortunately, my grandmother had already passed away so I never got to craft with her, but the stories my mom and aunts tell are funny. My grandma was the ultimate shopper. She could go ALL DAY. I swear her feet never hurt, her legs never got sore, and she never used a public restroom! Sorry grandma for outing you, but that is truly amazing!!! (You can roll back over now!) Anyway, the first year I went was a little overwhelming to say the least. This isn’t some 100 vendor craft fair you can walk in an hour. This is 600+ vendors. There are blocks and blocks of them. They are on both sides of the river. There are so many people that it’s like being at the state fair. And if you’re lucky and really push yourself you can see it all in 8-9 hours. No, I’m not kidding! So, without further ado, here are some pictures from this year’s adventure for your enjoyment!
We made it! Now we have to synchronize our watches.. My mom, sisters Julie and Christy.
My cousin Anna and My Aunt Lisa drove all the way from Missouri!
Ahhh, who doesn’t love crafting at 7am?! Nice fist pump, Mom 🙂
Anna made the first purchase of our group. She bought a book and this cute bag for her daughter. 
Following the “rules” and waiting at the end of the row for all members of our group. Hey, it’s easy to get lost! I should also say that in MN the weather could be hot hot hot or not so much. That day it was very windy and chilly!
Lunch time at a craft fair with a bunch of hungry ladies! 
There were vendors for blocks and blocks. If you wanted it, someone had it! 
At the end of the day we went out for dinner and drinks since it was my birthday! It was a great day and we’re all excited for next year 🙂 L-R back row: my mom, me. Front L-R: my sister Christy, cousin Anna and aunt Lisa. Sister Julie stayed back and watched the kids. Thanks Jules!!!
My cousin Jenny and I. I will get her to come with us eventually, but at least she was there for the birthday part!
We are always accepting new members and it’s free to join! We don’t require any funky clothing or hats, but a cell phone is a good idea 🙂 See ya’ll next year for the craft fair!
Us Girls..Our Views 
That fist pump of your mom’s is awesome. I can’t wait to go to the one tomorrow. About what time do you “think” it might be?
I think this is so neat that you have this family tradition and I’m jealous of you. I wish my family did something like this. It keeps you closer. I also like that you have to be a grown up to go. Kids wouldn’t enjoy this and they probably can’t wait till they get to go with you. Hopefully you guys will keep this up.
I’m thinking 12noon. That forces me to stay for the majority of the day, but I only have 1 case so whatever time you want to meet should be fine. Wait, we know better than to plan a time! Hopefully noon and I’ll call you!
You think that fist pump was awesome you should see the picture of her doing an impression of Chuck Norris. I think Jenny still has it on her phone. Sorry I couldn’t be there to help celebrate you birthday Sue.
That’s ok Jason, but you really should have seen her Kung Fu in person!
She kept saying, “I’m not going to end up on the blog am I? Don’t put me on the blog!” I do have video, but I can’t let everyone laugh at her. That’s reserved for family 😉
HAHA Sue I don’t think you’ll ever get me to go crafting with you! It’s not my thing. Did have fun celebrating your b-day with you. Your mom was hilarious! Should post that video someplace so I could see it. Have fun crafting tomorrow girls!! 😀
Sounds like fun! My mom and sisters used to have a tradition of going to a city, about an hour away, where the shopping was really good. (Most of my family lives in a rural county, so a trip to a real mall is a significant drive away.) When I was still growing, the point of going to that city was that it was in another state which had no sales tax. So we’d go there to shop for school clothes. Eventually we started doing it right before Christmas. When my mom’s health got too bad to make the trip both ways in one day, we started renting a couple of motel rooms and having an overnight getaway. It was really nice, except that even on our fanciest trip, my mom always seems to spend most of her shopping time in the underwear sections. BORING! But anyhoo, it was great for us girls to do something together. The tradition has been on hold since I brought my kids home. For the first couple years, it seemed like it would be too complicated to include two babies/toddlers in our plans. And last year, my sister had a 2-week-old baby. Maybe we could try it this year, if my mom’s health permits.
You should try to start this. I bet your mom would love it and so would Miss A & E.
Holy crap that’s a lot of “junk” I mean cool stuff to look at. It’s huge, how do you know where to go and do you have ideas as to what you’re gonna buy? Or do you just go there and what ever catches your eye you buy? That reminds me of going to antique shops with grandpa. There’s lots of cool stuff that you just don’t see anywhere else.
Oh Shane, those are questions I forgot to put in the post so I’m glad you asked! There’s a book of all the vendors and a map that tells you where they are located. This year I went with nothing particular to buy, but my mom and aunts make lists, take measurements, the whole nine yards so that they get something that’s just right!
Oh, what fun!! You guys look like you just had an absolute BLAST!!
I love going to “browse-through” shows. I really love festivals. My favorites are the “theme fests”, mostly the Celtic Festivals, and Renaissance Faires. Only thing is, I always end up going with guys, and they have ZERO patience for the “shops”, so we end up going from food tent to food tent. seriously, how many turkey legs can you eat in one day?
But that craft fair looks amazing. I’ll bet my mom and sister-in-law would be ALL OVER it! Hmmm…. that gives me an idea… they’re always up for a road trip….
Well look at that!! You COULD make this a full-family thing! I’ve just clicked over to the flyer, and saw all the things that go on that weekend… an antiques fair, a Farmer’s Market, and an auto show! If the guys wanted something to look at, too, they could take the kids and go over and look at all the cool cars and such! Just send the boys/kids one way, and the moms the other way…
Hmm, maybe next year, you can come up and we can plan that! 😉
That would be awesome. I’m in.
My mom and SIL (Lorene) are already plotting…. My brother says that they have to take the civic instead of the van… I smell trouble…
*evil grin*
I love doing things like this too. I just don’t get up at 6am or drive hundreds of miles to do it! You all are nuts, in a good way! 🙂 More than anything, I love that it’s a tradition that you have with your family. Some day Trinity will be able to go, and then in about 20 years, her kids! I know, I’ll shut up now about that.
I’m glad you had a good day! Sorry, I couldn’t see you on your birthday. We’ll make up for it soon I hope!
I like how you love crafting so much and that its a tradition for you and your family AND it was on your bday this years.Nice to have something you enjoy so much.Personally its so not for me,crafts and lots of people..naw,Ill stay home.:) Thanks for sharing your pics!!Hay,what treasures did you come home with?
A crafting I’m a going. Have fun without me but not too much. I’ll let you know if I find anything I just couldn’t live without when I get home.
It looks like you all had a great time. It’s nice to have little traditions like that.
Your probably Crafting as I’m writting this Joy. I hope you had lots of Fun. Sounds like Sue will be able to Celebrate her Birthday for a whole week. That’s nice when Birthdays work out that way. I am amazed how much shopping it is and how much land it covers. I’ve never heard of such a thing. I like that it is a tradition and that you are armed with bags and prepared. Cute photo of Sues Mom. Thanks for sharing the photos glad you guys had so much fun!
That looks like a lot of fun!! I also like that it is outside.. instead of inside some stuffy building!! Did you buy anything?