PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Artists and crafters from around The County set up at the Riverside Pavilion despite the wind and spotty mix of fall showers on Indigenous People’s Day.
The 1st annual Fall Artist Bazaar was held in Presque Isle with around 100 people turning out throughout the day. Around 16 artists and crafters participated.
“I was mostly looking to create opportunities for local vendors in ‘The County,’” said Michele Johnson, coordinator of the Fall Artist Bazaar and owner of Mama Made. “I myself had a hard time getting into multiple vending events just because they are so popular.”
Mama Made makes fiber arts for home decor and wearables like winter caps made from crocheting and knitting fibers from alpacas and rabbits, Johnson said.
Outreach for the Fall Artist Bazaar was done through Facebook, along with putting out flyers in local businesses around Presque Isle.
Lou and Scott Lagasse wanted to get back into the craft show business after a 25-year hiatus. The couple came back to Fort Fairfield from Louisiana around three years ago, but they had trouble finding a crafting event that wasn’t already filled up months in advance, such as the Caribou Holiday Fair.
“Most craft shows in the area right now are sold out with a waiting list for next year,” Scott Lagasse said.
Lou Lagasse creates wood art using a laser cutter that is set up in her living room to make lanterns to hold battery powered candles for people to put out for Halloween instead of a jack-o-lantern. She also creates wooden signs that she designs and paints.
She uses locally sourced cedar for the wood products that naturally turns gray in sunlight.
Another booth featured Rebel Tarot with psychic medium and energy healer Jaclyn Gilbert. She reconnected with Johnson this year at the Washburn August Fest and wanted to be a part of the Fall Artist Bazaar to expand her clientele.
“When I go and do these different events it gives [people] the opportunity to at least try it out because it is a very short reading,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert said she helps people who are in recovery from addiction and also serves on the board for Recovery Aroostook.
Gilbert started Rebel Tarot in August 2020 before getting her brick and mortar shop in January 2023 on 24 Sweden Street in Caribou. She offers tarot card readings, energy infused jewelry, and holistic health services.
The Fall Artist Bazaar was planned two months ago by Johnson and she hopes to bring in more food trucks for next year’s event. The only food truck this year was The Sizzle Shack that is based out of Fort Fairfield.
Johnson plans on doing the Fall Artist Bazaar again next year, along with a spring and summer artist bazaar in Presque Isle.
