Aug. 30-31: 54th Mad River Valley Craft Fair powers Valley Players theater
August 21, 2025 | By Ruth Ann Pattee
Visitor peruse last year’s Mad River Craft Fair. File photo
It’s not your grandmother’s craft fair! Picture yourself in the beautiful Green Mountains listening to live music while you browse through a juried fair of over 85 artists offering one-of-a-kind pieces: unique gifts, keepsakes for your home, or special touches to add to your wardrobe.
Join us for the 54th Mad River Valley Craft Fair, held rain or shine on Labor Day weekend, Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 30-31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kenyon’s Field along Vermont Rt. 100 in Waitsfield.
Several of the artists you will find at the booths are from the Waterbury/Stowe area. From Waterbury, Dorothy Goulet brings her original flora paintings from her Art in a Cave studio; Lee Baker of Attention Craft Ceramics brings wheel-thrown and hand-built, high-fire, functional, stoneware pottery that is meant to be held; and Raegan Hough Metalsmith will have for sale unique jewelry made from metal and semi-precious stones, some inspired by the Vermont landscape.
From Stowe, Megan Karcher of Willough Designs will bring her whimsical art and hand-drawn stickers, and from Morrisville, Natalie Carr of Wild Woogs offers one-of-a-kind homemade upcycled fabric art “for the wild at heart.” June Mendell of All That Glitter in Lake Elmore brings sparkling jewelry and Jason Brunault of Jay’s Woodshop in Johnson will have fun and useful home décor handcrafted from a variety of hardwoods.
Other artists come from all over Vermont and New England.
Featured at the Mad River Valley Craft Fair are four bands, a food court and bar, door prizes, and for the kids, free face-painting and the Dinoman Science Show at noon each day.
Dinoman – local scientist Bob Lisaius – travels the East Coast sharing his dinosaur wisdom at schools, libraries, and special events. His hands-on science show uses magic, clever explanations, and giant props to present a dynamic program of dinosaurs, science, and fun for the whole family.
The Medicine Tribe is one band on the schedule for the Mad River Craft Fair. Courtesy photo
Local live music has always been a big feature at the fair. On Saturday morning, Green Mountain Swing, a 17-piece band that recently appeared at the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, will play Big Band classics, and on Saturday afternoon, the J.J. Booth Duo from Warren will perform indie rock/pop and alternative country tunes. On Sunday morning, Madigan Linnane will return to play in her modern folk/pop/indie musical style with songs that appeal to a broad audience, and on Sunday afternoon, the Medicine Tribe, featuring Colleen Mari Mays of Warren, will play Americana-style covers and original songs.
The food court will have a variety of vendors from international dishes to classic hamburgers and hot dogs. American Flatbread’s Waitsfield Hearth returns to the Craft Fair this year to create hand-thrown pizza in their onsite woodfired oven; Dougy Fresh Catering of Barre will be making gyros featuring lamb, beef, chicken and veggies.
Cheryl and Troy Kingsbury of Waitsfield are spearheading a fundraiser for the Central Vermont Pioneers Team (adaptive ice hockey for all ages) and will be serving hot dogs, hamburgers, bean burgers, chips, soda, and coffee to support that cause. Silver Spring Scoops Ice Cream and Lemonade from Bolton will serve homemade ice cream, sundaes, shakes, and of course, hand-squeezed lemonade with a maple lemonade option.
New to the Fair is Rez Me Energy drinks from Barre – fantastical specialty energy drinks that come with or without caffeine. For adults 21+, The Wandering Tavern mobile bar will have wine by the glass, beer, cocktails, and mocktails for onsite consumption.
On both days, there will be many door prizes announced from many area inns, artists, restaurants and retail establishments contributing items and gift certificates. “Many thanks to our generous local businesses and non-profits that donate to our door prize program,” said Laura Arnesen, Craft Fair Manager. Additional door prizes are still welcome and can be donated by emailing Arnesen at laura@madriver.com.
The nonprofit Valley Players community theater group began running the Mad River Valley Craft Fair in 1989, after it already had 19 years of private ownership. Staffed by numerous volunteers and the Players’ Board of Directors, the fair is the theater group’s main annual fundraiser, providing support to maintain the Valley Players Theater on Main Street in Waitsfield and keeping entry fees affordable for adults and free for kids 12 and under.
The craft fair financial support is key for the organization to put toward upkeep of the theater building. Learn more about the Valley Players and its upcoming productions at its tent at the fair.
For the full list of door prizes, artists, vendors, directions, and more details, visit the craft show website at madrivercraftfair.com. Organizers also remind attendees to please leave pets at home.
Admission is $5 for adults. Parking is free.
Ruth Ann Pattee is a member of the Valley Players Board of Directors.