The 2015 Hilton Apple Fest will feature 125 crafters carefully selected by four jurors that represent ages 20 through 60. “Everyone has different taste, so we want to make sure our crafters reflect that,” said Terry Quetschenbach, Apple Fest Committee chair in charge of gathering artisans and developing the layout of booths. Artisans must submit seven photos of their work, which the jurors use to determine the variety and quality of items to be sold. All items must be handmade by the crafter.
Kim Keller, who is traveling from Norwood, NY near Potsdam, is brand new to the Hilton Apple Fest. “Hilton is in a different area from where I normally exhibit,” she said. “I want to see what people in other places think of the quilts I make.” Keller taught herself how to quilt in the 1970s, then went back to quilting about 10 years ago. “I fell in love with miniature block quilts,” she said. Her miniature blocks measure an average of two inches and all of her quilts are wall hangings that can be framed or hung with the dowel that is included. “I only do a few shows, but I quilt year round,” Keller said.
Keller Country Quilts can be found in Booth 56, north of the Craft Raffle Booth.
Margaret Bird of Bird’s Birdhouses has been participating in the Hilton Apple Fest with her husband, David, for at least 15 years. “Hilton is a nice set up,” she said. “The food is great – it’s not carnival food – and it’s not a huge show. It’s just comfortable and Terry (Quetschenbach) is great to work with.”
The Birds have actually been making birdhouses for 32 years. “My husband made four for each of our children and told me not to take them to work because he was not going to start making birdhouses!” said Margaret. “Well, I did take one and came home with orders. We now have a birdhouse in every state, plus Australia and a few other countries.”
Bird’s birdhouses are all the same shape, but have many personal touches to reflect everything from a favorite sports team to a branch of the service. “David cuts out all of the pieces and then I paint them and nail them together,” explained Margaret. “I tried to help by cutting out a word once, but picked ‘Pittsburgh’ and ended up getting frustrated and breaking a letter!”
Bird’s Birdhouses can be found in Booth 38 at the far end of the row, north of the Souvenir Booth.
As in previous years, judges will visit each craft booth on Saturday, October 3 beginning at 9 a.m. to award ribbons in the following categories: Clothing, Decorative Wood, Drawing/Painting, Fine Art, Floral, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Photography, Pottery/Ceramics, Special Media, Textiles, Wood, and Best of Show. Awards are presented at 4 p.m. at the Main Stage. The winner of each category does not have to be juried to be accepted into the 2016 Hilton Apple Fest and the Best of Show receives a free single booth for the following year.
Each crafter is asked to participate in the Craft Raffle by donating a homemade item from their booth. Proceeds from the raffle are donated to a local non-profit organization.
prepared by Grace Griffee
for the Hilton Apple Fest Committee
