ROCKLAND — Shopping at the Festival of Lights Craft Show, hosted by Pope Memorial Humane Society, was a win-win on Small Business Saturday, for both the artisans and crafters and the shelter animals who benefited.

“We have more than 40 tables here, which were booked at maximum capacity by October of this year,” Kasey Bielecki, Event Coordinator at Pope Memorial Humane Society. This popular craft event, once a mainstay at the Samoset Resort, moved to the spacious and warm-toned Elks Club in Rockland. Now in its 39th year, Festival of Lights Craft Show had vendors from all over Maine. “It’s not technically juried, but we interview single vendor who applies to get a sense of what they create and make sure that we don’t have multiple tables selling the same type of craft.”

A multitude of Maine-made, unique and one-of-a-kind wares were offered at this Craft Fair, one of the biggest in the Midcoast around the holidays. Crafters offered knitted and felted items, toys, buttons, ornaments, among many interesting items. Little know artists were also present with jewelry, inspired artwork from found materials and food vendors gave samplings of  special barbeque sauces, lobster-flavored crackers and homemade fudge. It was a chance for those who make and create all winter long (and who may not have a web or Etsy presence) to showcase their items, and for the community to shop locally, find unique presents and stocking stuffers and support the artists of Maine.

The Craft Fair asked for a $2 donation at the door, as well as the vendor table fees, which went entirely to Pope Memorial Humane Society. Proceeds from the bake sale did as well. In addition, most of the vendors offered a free item to the silent auction, which concluded at 3 p.m.—and likewise, all proceeds from that silent auction went back to helping the shelter animals as well. “Last year, I believe we took in around $7,000,” said Bielecki.

Many of the vendors said they would also be displaying at the OHS Holiday Art & Craft Fair next weekend.

Check out our gallery of faces and crafts. Photos by Kay Stephens

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com