Congleton Town Hall was abuzz with excitement on June 23rd as Artisanity’s Summer Fair marked another resounding success for local artisans and the community. Featuring 29 local independent makers and artist businesses, the event showcased the rich talent and creativity thriving in the area.
Visitors had the opportunity to explore a variety of unique products, witness engaging craft demonstrations, and even participate themselves. New for this Fair was a hands-on craft session in the form of a needle felting taster session— an activity that proved to be a crowd favourite. Alongside these experiences, needle felting supplies and kits were also available for purchase, allowing enthusiasts to continue their crafting journey at home.
A highlight of the fair is always the innovative raffle system that rewards spending with stallholders. For every £5 spent, visitors received raffle tickets, enhancing their chances of winning one of the 25 prizes generously donated by the vendors. This initiative not only boosted sales for the independent businesses but also added an element of excitement and community spirit to the day.
We had a visit from Congleton Radio who interviewed a number of stallholders (listen below), while representatives from the Congleton Mayor’s office paid a visit, further underscoring the fair’s importance to the town.
The fair garnered fantastic feedback from both visitors and stallholders. One stallholder remarked, “The summer fair was beautifully organized with a very supportive organizing team. Communication before and during the event was brilliant. The venue was fantastic with good lighting and a bar for tea, coffee, lunch, and cake, delivered to our stall too!! I can’t wait to come back for the winter fair (hopefully).”
Attendees praised the quality and diversity of the products on display, as well as the friendly and welcoming atmosphere created by the event. Stallholders expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with new customers and the support shown by the local community.
One visitor shared their enthusiasm, saying, “It’s wonderful to see so much talent in one place. The atmosphere was incredible, and I loved the chance to support local makers. The raffle was a brilliant touch that made shopping even more fun!”
Artisanity’s commitment to fostering local talent and community engagement continues to shine through events like these. As a regular fixture in Congleton’s calendar, the fairs provide vital support to independent businesses and create a vibrant platform for artisans to showcase their work.
For those who missed the fair or are eager for more, Artisanity hosts regular workshops and events at their shop at Glebe Farm in Astbury. More details about upcoming events and workshops can be found on their website at www.artisanity.co.uk.
As the success of the Summer Fair demonstrates, Congleton’s community spirit and support for local artisans remain strong. With plans already underway for future events, Artisanity is set to continue its mission of celebrating and supporting the incredible talent within the community.