Craft fair serves as winter open house

WATKINS GLEN--Hundreds of residents and shoppers spent part of their Saturday, Dec. 4 afternoon at Clute Park checking out the newly opened ice skating rink and doing some last-minute holiday shopping. Vendors packed the new event center and due to interest overflow vendors were put at the community center.
"The turnout has been great," said Parks and Events Manager Craig Bond. "We were sold out with the vendor's list... I think the community has really wanted something to do in the winter months to get out and about. And I think it's great for the kids to be outside and not just inside, so it's a good thing."
Inside the event center options ranged from crafts like handmade wooden pens and ornaments to gourmet cupcakes. Children were also given an opportunity to sit next to Santa, and while they couldn't sit on his lap they were able to sit in a chair adjacent to him so parents and loved ones could take family photos. An entire room was dedicated to giving families their choice of a free cookie, something every kid in attendance took advantage of at least once.
Along with the events center, the cafe was utilized as well, with the Turtle Leaf Cafe from Elmira providing Thanksgiving wraps and other snacks.
Throughout the event residents and shoppers remarked on the quality of the vendors, while many vendors were relieved to be able to sell their wares after the COVID pandemic put many of them on the sideline last season.
With so much vendor interest combined with strong attendance numbers, Bond said excess vendors had to be moved across the street to the Community Center, something he will keep in mind for future years. Carriage rides were also available on Saturday throughout the park, a feature that may expand in future years.
"Hopefully next year we will be able to run the community center and the events center by having people able to take carriage rides back and forth," Bond said.
Along with the holiday shopping and opportunities for photos with Santa, Clute Park also officially unveiled the new ice skating rink to the public.
"The ice skating rink is a big step towards us being a tourism destination throughout the winter along with spring, summer and fall," said Leszyk previously.