Craftapalooza to feature eclectic, handmade items

While Craftapalooza may be a new event for the River Festival, its organizers are familiar with producing a summertime handmade craft and vintage market in the Wichita area. Even the event venue remains the same.

After a couple of years of running a craft market themselves, River Festival officials have partnered with Montage Festivals, an Oklahoma-based company that produces several markets, artisan events and other shopping experiences in the region, to stage its Craftapalooza during Riverfest.

“One of our goals this year was to increase the shopping experiences for festival attendees,” said Ann Keefer from Wichita Festivals.

Montage Festivals has staged Craftapalooza in Wichita three times a year since 2012, generally in February, the summer and the fall for holiday shoppers, according to co-owner Kristen Cooper.

The River Festival Craftapalooza is taking place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 10, in the Century II Convention Center, 225 W. Douglas.

Craftapalooza is billed as a place to find “an eclectic blend of handcrafted one-of-a-kind items, artisan designs, bling and glam boutiques, antique and vintage bliss, sparkly jewels, home decor and inspiration, repurposed and funky junk,” according to the Montage Festivals’ website.

“It’s mostly a handcrafters fair, focusing on crafters, makers, artisans and DIYers,” Cooper said.

“We’re excited to be part of River Festival since it’s a long-standing tradition,” Cooper said.

That’s why she and her husband, Russell, decided to partner with Riverfest and schedule Craftapalooza as part of the festival, rather than holding a separate event later in the summer. The fall event is scheduled for Oct. 21 at Century II.

“Anytime you can combine great events together, it’s a great experience for everyone,” she said.

Some first-time Craftapalooza vendors will be at the June 10 event, Cooper said, likely attracted by the market being part of Riverfest.

Generally, Craftapalooza attracts between 70 to 100 exhibitors to its daylong market and charges a $5 admission, with kids under 12 getting in free. During the River Festival Craftapalooza, admission is a Riverfest button.

This story was originally published June 2, 2017 at 11:10 AM with the headline "Craftapalooza to feature eclectic, handmade items."