Rowdy’s Getting Ready to Do it Again
By Julie Cajigas
If you missed the Rowdy Indie Craft Fair this summer, don’t despair. It was so successful that you have another opportunity to purchase some of Akron’s and Northeast Ohio’s coolest crafts – just in time for Christmas. The Rowdy Indie Craft Fair Winter Market will take place on Sun 12/4 from 2 until 10 PM @ Studio 526, located at 526 Grant Street in Akron.
Check out this exclusive Cool Cleveland video, where correspondent Jayna Thomas gives us an inside look at the very first Rowdy Indie Craft Fair this past August.
If the jam-packed parking lot and the lively atmosphere inside was any indication, the first Rowdy Indie Craft Fair was a huge success. I was able to find some wonderful items including a beautiful bracelet crafted out of spoons and a pair of earrings that garner regular compliments. The August event featured items including t-shirts, letterpress cards, wooden robots, kitschy jewelry, stuffed toys, eco-friendly products of all sorts, vintage apparel and goodies, and much more – and the 12/4 event promises to be just as jam-packed with crafty fun.
Get there early to see over 30 local vendors selling not-your-average craft fair goods. The mission of this event is to encourage everyone to skip the mall this holiday season and buy local, handmade goods from environmentally conscious artists and crafters. You will be able to find unique gifts for everyone you know (and yourself!) no matter what your budget might be. The cool stuff I bought in August was surprisingly affordable and beautiful.
In addition to goods for sale, enjoy free demonstrations throughout the event, such as a free yoga class, the basics of graffiti art, and even crochet and needlepoint. There will also be tasty food and drink at the event. Vendors range from health-conscious vegan fare to pizza by the slice, along with homemade baked goods. Get in the holiday spirit and participate in the charity auction to benefit Access, Inc. Tickets are $1 each and the raffle drawing will be held at 6PM.
One of the highlights at the first Rowdy Indie Craft Fair was the live entertainment. Starting at 7PM, there will be live music from indie rockers ShiSho, Comfort Clouds and Bethesda, all natives of the Akron and Kent areas. Get your holiday groove on and enjoy this winter wonderland of crafty goodness.
Get your unique gifts on Sun 12/4 from 2 to 10 PM @ Studio 526 at 526 Grant Street in Akron. To learn more and get information on the Sun 12/4 event, “Like” the Rowdy Indie Craft Fair Fan Page on Facebook. Also, check out event organizer Brittany Charek’s website, HoldenAllen and her Cool Cleveland interview.
Julie Cajigas is a Cleveland girl who grew up on the East & West Side and now lives near Akron – she’s got the whole town covered. Cajigas holds Bachelors Degrees in Communication and Music, along with a Masters in Applied Communication Theory and Methodology from Cleveland State University, and currently serves as a visiting lecturer in the The University of Akron’s School of Communication.