By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The Decatur Artisan Craft Market, which began 10 years ago, will be kicking off a new season Saturday at Riverside Center in Decatur.
Markets are scheduled the second Saturday of each month through April, with the exception of January.
All markets will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No admission is charged.
Market Manager Mary Montgomery said Saturday’s event wil have 105 tables full of homemade gifts.
Since the market started in 2015, over 600 different vendors have participated, coming as far away as Bloomington in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.
“Many of our vendors are locals that live in and around Decatur. I am always amazed and impressed with the talent that is in our community,” Montgomery said.
The Decatur Artisan Craft Market (DACM) was launched in 2015 by Cheri Sherry and Suzie Fuelling to raise money for community projects as part of the City of Decatur’s Stellar Communities grant application.
“I have always felt strongly that Decatur should have a Splash pad and using the proceeds from the DACM would be a nice monetary push for the city in the right direction,” Montgomery said.
Since 2021, the DACM has raised a total of $14,498.00 for a splash pad.
The 2024-25 DACM raised $4,135.00.
ODD START: Montgomery had an inauspicious start as market manager.
She took over the operation in 2020, having been asked to do so by Cheri Sherry.
Then the COVID pandemic hit and she had to cancel all the markets for that season!
“Up until that time, I was a vendor selling my crafts at the market.” she said. “I have been going and working at craft shows since I was 10 years old. I was looking to get more involved in the community and the DACM was a good fit.”
Montgomery has a BA in Fine Arts and a BS in Art Education and is vice president of the North Adams Arts Council.
NOTE: No market was scheduled in January this season as that month has “been cursed with bad weather and flu symptoms,” Montgomery said.
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