The annual Sunnyside Artists Crafts and Arts Fair will take place Saturday. Attendees at a previous fair are pictured (Photo provided by Sunnyside Artists)
Nov. 10, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
Local artisans will showcase their works Saturday at the annual Sunnyside Artists Crafts and Arts Fair.
The event, which was canceled last year due to the pandemic, will take place in a parking lot on 43rd Street between 43rd Avenue and Skillman Avenue. The fair has traditionally been held at the Queen of Angels Church Parish Hall on Skillman Avenue but the venue is not available this year.
The fair will run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.
The popular event is in its 14th year and typically sees hundreds of attendees throughout the day, according to Sunnyside Artists, the non-profit group that organizes the event.
More than 35 artists will present works for sale including handmade jewelry, soaps, organic scents, photography, pottery and accessories.
There will also be fine art, a fruit sculpture, Christmas ornaments and hand-carved wooden items.
“We are really excited to host the event at this amazing space, we were very lucky to get it,” said Manny Gomez, president of Sunnyside Artists.
Gomez said the space is much larger than the Queen of Angels Church Parish Hall and will be able to cater to a greater number of residents compared to previous years.
The event will take place inside nearly a dozen large tents on the parking lot that the group has purchased.
“We want it to be our biggest one yet and we hope that more people will visit once they see the tents from the street. It’s going to be lots of fun,” Gomez said.
Attendees at a prior Sunnyside Artists Crafts and Arts Fair at the Queen of Angels Church Parish Hall (Photo provided by Sunnyside Artists)
The fair will also feature a number of raffles with prizes including wines and liquors, gift certificates from local stores, Thanksgiving turkeys, Polish treats and even a squawking rubber chicken key ring.
Food will be provided by Firefly Petit Bistro, while Lowery Wine & Liquors will offer a free glass of wine to attendees for every art purchase. A local DJ will be playing music throughout the day.
The annual event also sets aside a portion of table fees to be donated to local food pantries.
The fair is sponsored by the Queens/Sunnyside Post, the Woodside Herald, the Sugar Room, Welcome Home Real Estate and Go Green Generators.
Organizers say there is still space for local artists to take part in the event, given the larger space at this year’s location. Sunnyside Artists is also looking for volunteers to help out at the event Saturday.
Prospective artists and volunteers are asked to email sunnysideartists@gmail.com. for more information.
