This summer I was lucky enough to be in Bracebridge, Ontario for the 55th annual “Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show”:http://www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com/Summer_Show/summer_show.htm on July 14-16. It is billed as one of Ontario’s largest and oldest outdoor arts and crafts shows. The event was set up in Annie Williams Memorial Park which is between Santa’s Village Road (cross section is Wellington Street) and the Muskoka River with lots of free parking in the vicinity. Yes, Santa’s Village Family Entertainment Park is down the street. Along with your entrance fee (whatever you want to donate to the association), you receive a map and guide of the almost 200 vendors. The selection was very broad: jewelry, woodwork, art, pottery, clothing, accessories, furniture, weaving, glasswork, photography and toys. Everything is locally made and you can talk to the artists and order something specific if you do not see exactly what you want. There are food and drink vendors as well. I came away with an SPF sun hat which I used right away as it was a warm sunny day. My friends did some gift shopping. It was a well-organized and well-attended event.
If you are in the area at a different time of year, check out the website for other activities as there are events happening throughout the year.
