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Date: 3/28/2022
BELCHERTOWN – After a two year break because of COVID-19, Belchertown Animal Relief Committee’s (BARC) annual craft fair returns on April 2 at a new location.
BARC Treasurer Jennifer Christian-Wright said the goal for the initial fundraiser in 2015 was to raise nearly $80,000 for a new animal control facility in town, which has since been built. Since the last fair in 2019, Christian-Wright said the fair has moved to a larger location at Jabish Brook Middle School to meet increasing demands.
“We were at the Old Town Hall in the middle of town and that held about 20 crafters and over the years we started having huge waiting lists, we had people that were weather dependent that would be outside on the common. So, we decided we have so much demand and there is so much interest, let’s find a bigger place. Instead of 20 to 30 vendors, we will have over 50,” she said.
Fairgoers can expect products from an array of local crafters.
“They are all crafters, and they are all pretty much from Western Massachusetts, but we may have one or two from Connecticut. We have a maple farm that is going to be there, we have jewelry, we have woodworking, we have fiber art folks, we have people that make wreaths, we have a wonderful array of things for everybody,” she said.
With an early spring time slot, Christian-Wright said it is a great time to get gifts for spring holidays and events.
“I think we are probably one of the earliest spring craft fairs that are out there so if people are looking for Easter presents, graduation presents, Mother’s Day presents, Father’s Day presents or all the different birthdays that are in the spring, it is a great time to shop local and find some things for folks,” she said.
Along with the craft fair, Christian-Wright said the Rooster’s Roaming Cantina food truck will offer a selection of its food and Batch Ice Cream will be providing frozen desserts, weather-permitting.
“Now our focus as an organization is still supporting Belchertown Animal Control with medical expenses, food expenses and anything else they may need to do their job well and support the community, but we are also looking to different community outreach things,” she said.
While BARC’s primary focus is supporting Belchertown Animal Control any way they can, Christian-Wright said their efforts have evolved into community outreach efforts, including a fund for local veterinarians.
“We have a vet fund at three of the area vets for folks that bring in their animals in emergency situations that may not be able to afford the care and that pays for their care. To date we have given close to $9,000 but the vets haven’t spent all of that yet,” she said.
Christian-Wright said BARC has also sponsored animal trainings in the community, hosted a screening for Champion, a movie about the survivors of Michael Vick’s dog fighting ring and more. In some cases, she added that BARC will also help families who are unable to pay for food for their pets.
“We want to keep people their animals in their homes,” she said.
Alongside the crafters, BARC will have its own table set up.
“The fees for the crafters help and then we will have a table set up selling dog toys and cat toys that are very popular, we also have sweatshirts, magnets and all sorts of things so people can always donate their,” she said.
Christian-Wright said she is looking forward to the fair’s return.
“This is one of our favorite events among the volunteers, just to get back to that and seeing our supporters at a new location that is bigger, I think it is going to be a great day. Just being out there in the community and meeting folks again will be really special for us,” she said.
BARC’s Craft Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 2 at Jabish Brook Middle School, which is located at 62 N Washington St.