Clarkson will host craft, food fair this weekend

POTSDAM — Since the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce partnered with Clarkson University to revamp the college's annual fall craft show, the event has expanded to include food and wine and has drawn vendors from around the state.

Newly christened the 2009 Craft, Food & Wine Show, the expo will fill Clarkson's Cheel Center Arena on Friday and Saturday.

"It's bigger than it's ever been," said Jo Ann Roberts, events and promotions manager for the county chamber. "This fits right into our mission of helping small businesses and artisans and entrepreneurs from throughout the area. We're always looking for venues to bring people from outside the area as well, so it's a great fit for us."

Since the chamber began promoting the show as a food and wine event, the number of vendors has increased dramatically. There will be 96 vendors with 110 booths at this year's show — with even more on a waiting list — compared to the 65 or 75 that normally come, Ms. Roberts said.

"We're going to be busting at the seams, which is a good thing," said Scott E. Smalling, director of the Cheel Center. "We're going to bring different people with different interests. The diversity I think will bode well for it."

Crafters from around the state will offer everything from handbound journals to iron sculptures. Everything has to be handmade or homemade, Ms. Roberts said. The new food selections will include barbecue sauces, chocolates, "cheesecake on a stick," local beef and more.

Three wineries will be offering tastings and selling by the bottle, including River Myst Winery of Ogdensburg, Thousand Islands Winery of Alexandria Bay and Hazlitt 1852 Winery from the Finger Lakes.

Ms. Roberts said she was initially surprised that so many vendors were interested in showing at the event.

"A number of vendors said that they used to do shows and decided to get back into the business, whether because they have reduced hours or just want to bring in more income for their families," she said. "I also think people want to spend money on things locally and want to buy things that are quality and unique, and this venue certainly has all of that."

Mr. Smalling said he was pleased that the partnership with the chamber has gone well so far, because the college isn't really in the events business.

"What we're good at is hockey, but we're going to breathe some new life into this thing," he said.

The 2009 Craft, Food & Wine Show kicks off from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event is free.