Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair this weekend

About 300 artists and crafters will be selling their handmade goods on Sept. 20 at the Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair.

The early-fall fair is in its 45th year and attracts from 30,000 to 40,000 people to the town 50 minutes north of Wichita. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We’ve been having great years,” said the fair’s director, Penni Schroeder. “We have waiting lists for people to get in.”

Those who have gotten in to sell at the fair this year hail from 14 states. Some of the vendors have been there for 20 or more years, while there are always some new crafters, too, Schroeder said. All are required to have a handmade craft. Their wares include furniture, clothing, food items, floral and garden things, baby items, purses, pottery, metal art, things for your hair, pet-related goods, and wooden items.

In addition, 20 booths will be selling food to eat at the fair, including German dishes and Hillsboro sausage.

Attendance in any given year “really depends on the weather,” Schroeder said. Parking around the fair downtown usually requires some walking; another option is to park for $2 at the fairgrounds and take a free shuttle to the fair, she said.

For more information, see the website hillsboroartsandcraftsfair.org. The fair also has a Facebook page.

To get to Hillsboro from Wichita, take I-135 to Newton. Then take Exit 33 (Emporia, Peabody) and go east 9 ½ miles (through Walton) until you see a large blue Hillsboro billboard on the left. Turn left (north) and go 13 miles to Hillsboro.

This story was originally published September 12, 2014 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Hillsboro Arts and Crafts Fair this weekend."