By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Following a successful 2023-24 Decatur Artisan Market season in Decatur, officials have announced plans for a special stand-alone market to be held during the city’s annual Festival of the Kekionga.
Organizer and Market Manager Mary Montgomery-Byer said the special one-day event will be held on Saturday, August 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Riverside Center.
The 2024-25 season, meanwhile, will begin in October and continue through April on the second Saturday of every month, all at Riverside Center. That’s a total of seven markets.
The ’23-’24 market, which also began in October and ran through April, brought in 154 artists, crafters and vendors to sell their one of-a-kind, hand-made goods in Decatur.
“Not only do we have our beloved local artists, but we have artists that come in from all over Indiana, Ohio and Michigan,” Montgomery-Byer said.
“This year’s market had everything from hand-carved bird houses, stained glass, pottery, baked goods and candies, original artwork, bath-and-body-care items, candles, jewelry, couture purses and hand bags, published book authors, and so much more.
“There really is no need to travel to a larger city to find high quality and unique items when you can get everything you want locally at the Artisan Craft Market,” she added.
The market has been raising money for a splash pad since 2017.
“The 2023-2024 season has raised over $4,000 dollars that is earmarked for a future splash pad,” Montgomery-Byer said. “A big ‘thank you’ to the community for coming out to the market, and to vendors and volunteers for all your support. You made this year’s Decatur Artisan Craft Market a success!”