November 6-9, 2008
on the Fairgrounds, Hamburg, NY
Show Again Ranked #2 in North America AGAIN by Sunshine Artist Magazine
Christmas in the Country: America's Best For the Last Decade
By Steve Reszka, Reszka & Associates
What do you call the only artisan show that's been ranked one of the top five shows in North America in each of the last 10 years... Outstandin... Sensational ... Terrific ... Stupendous? We call it Christmas in the Country.
This unmatched achievement was built by working hard to create the highest quality show possible. The focus on excellence caught the attention of the finest artisans not only coast to coast in North America, but throughout Europe as well. A number of foreign artisans are exhibiting in the show with a number of others on the waiting list.
This year Christmas in the Country will feature 400 booths of the world's finest artisans, who come from 25 different states, two Canadian provinces, Germany and Great Britain.
This year the show was ranked #2 by Sunshine Artist magazine, which ranks every craft show in America using broad criteria including comments of participating artisans.
"We couldn't be more pleased that our show has consistently maintained it's excellence for well over a decade," said Sally Kaczynski of Premier Promotions. "Maybe we should take a page from the Dallas Cowboys and call Christmas in the Country 'America's Show.'"
New artisans at this year's show include: Cindy Heumann of San Diego California, who makes clay sculptures; Dee Coffman of Ravenna, Ohio who makes wire angels; Joy Duszynski of Munith, Michigan, creator of garden mosaics; John Kamerer of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania who does flower photography on canvas; Dan Davenport of Millington, Michigan, who creates hammered aluminum art; and Cassie & Joe Nelson of Alabama, who weave baskets and make kitchen islands out of the same material.
Returning will be perennial favorites Bernd Fehrenbach, a fifth-generation cuckoo clock maker, who travels to Hamburg from his shop in the Black Forest of Germany to exhibit as well as Carrie Fertig of Edinboro, Scotland, who makes elegant Christmas ornaments from copper, pewter and silver.
This year Christmas in the Country opens Thursday & Friday, November 1-2 from 10am-9pm each day, Saturday, November 3rd from 9am-6pm and Sunday, November 4th from 10am-5pm in five buildings on the Fairgrounds in Hamburg.
Last year, Christmas in the Country drew almost 55,000 people. Surveys show approximately 15% of attendees are from outside Western New York.
It's the broad diversity of artisans and the high quality of their craftsmanship that draws not only tens of thousands of local residents to the show, but thousands of out-of-towners, who make the trip to Western New York, specifically for the show.
"I travel more than 600 miles to come to Christmas in the Country each year. No show is more entertaining and has the variety and quality that this show does," said Kim Hughes who drives from Massachusetts every year to visit the show.
"We work hard to offer everyone attending the show an incredible experience with a wide variety of artisans they normally wouldn't see in this area," said Mrs. Kaczynski.
The show will offer a remarkable cross-section of crafts and art including: traditional American sleighs, unique tapestry handbags, stained glass, jewelry, pottery, wood furniture, primitive home décor, candles, florals and much more.
As part of its commitment to their community, Christmas in the Country helps many local charities to raise money and promote causes for the less fortunate. Throughout the years, Premier Promotions has helped these organizations raise almost $1,200,000. This year the non-profit groups will include: Kids Escaping Drugs, Hamburg Eden Animal Rescue Team (H.E.A.R.T.), Churches in Action (CIA), Variety The Children's Charity of Buffalo, Kathleen Mary House and the Western New York Ehler-Danlos National Foundation.
In addition, almost all the workers you see at the show including ticket takers, hand stamps, survey takers and door watchers are volunteers earning money for their special charity.
"Our team effort makes Christmas in the Country the exhilarating show it is today. From the jurors, who judge the quality of artisans, to our volunteers, who make sure the show runs smoothly, everyone helps make us the best, said Mrs. Kaczynski.
Of course a key in the show's success is finding the top artisans, not only in North America, but now across the world as well.
Discount tickets are available through October 31st at Southtown Pennysaver offices, Metro News offices, Amherst Bee Newspaper office, The Shabby Chic Boutique in Cheektowaga, Josephine's Gifts & Vintage Décor, The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Tickets.Com in all Tops Markets.
|
