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Bakewell holds crafts fair at community center

The Bakewell Community Center holds regular fundraisers to help maintain the building, whether that's repairs to the original plaster or cutting trees to keep the center safe. On May 14, the first-ever Bakewell Spring Fling Craft Sale, featuring homemade art and decorative pieces, will help support the school's upkeep. The Bakewell Community Center holds regular fundraisers to help maintain the building, whether that's repairs to the original plaster or cutting trees to keep the center safe. On May 14, the first-ever Bakewell Spring Fling Craft Sale, featuring homemade art and decorative pieces, will help support the school's upkeep.

By Shane Foley May 11, 2016 2 min read

Barbara Price works on the beginning of a custom wood sign for the fair.

The Bakewell Community Center is one of the original seven schoolhouses in Hamilton County, and the only one that’s still open. Hundreds of kids from the area went through the school during its time, and community events are still held regularly between its walls.

Such an old building requires a lot of upkeep, which the citizens of Bakewell happily perform. To help in that regard, locals Barbara Price, Charlotte Bates and Henry Smith have organized the Bakewell Spring Fling Craft Sale being held at the community center Saturday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re just trying to keep it the way like it was,” said Price, a volunteer organizer. “If we get a good turnout, we want to make this an annual event.”

The fair will feature homemade goods from roughly a dozen craftsmen in the community, such as carved signs, embroidery and paintings. The center will be selling food during the event, as will Perry Stone Ministries.

Price said they have about 10 different vendors set to sell their wares at the fair, but they’re looking to get more by the time of the event. Booths cost $15 apiece.

For more information about the craft sale, contact Price at 802-9962.

All the money raised will go toward the community center, the organizers said. While the building is fine at the moment, Price said the regular maintenance to keep the building as close to its original design as possible necessitates regular fundraising. She recommends people also check out the monthly music sessions at the community center, held on the first Friday of every month, as another fun way to support the building.

“Bakewell really needs the support of the community,” said Price. “It’s definitely important to keep that connection. Everyone has a history, and this is such a key part of this little township.”

The school was constructed in 1910, and was operated until it shut down in 1962. Almost immediately after it closed, the community of Bakewell bought the property to keep it open as a community center.