art/craft fairs in maine?

[shsupernova]

we moved to portland 2 years ago, and i think i'm finally settled enough now that i'm ready to get back into doing art/craft fairs.  can anyone recommend some good ones?  or does anyone have suggestions on how to find info about them?  thanks in advance.   

[candycanechild]

I was on vacation to Ogunquit for two weeks (I LOVE OGUNQUIT!!! Sorry.) and we went to a HUGE craft fair in South Berwick. It was the South Berwick Strawberry Festival, and even though there weren't that many strawberries, there sure were a lot of craft booths! It was massive... and I didn't care about no strawberries 'cause I'm allergic, anyway. (not that you needed to know that). The point is that the fair was huge and it's held during the last Saturday in June. There was a HUGE crowd, too... I think it would be worth the drive, though Portland isn't really THAT far from South Berwick. I think. (I'm bad with maps)

[shsupernova]

thanks candycanechild.  i will definitely look into that one for next year.  i found a website for it if anyone else is interested:  www.southberwickstr awberryfestival.com    (sorry, i can't seem to figure out how to post a link.    )

anyone know of any others?

[Connie-Clays]

i'm ready to get back into doing art/craft fairs.  can anyone recommend some good ones? 

http://www.newenglandcraftfairs.com/maine-craft-fairs.html

I've worked with Lois Taylor on and off for years! She runs a good show and is very accomodating. There are shows all around southern - central Maine, and I think she does one in Bangor too.

[MishMoshStudio]

A couple more suggestions, if anyone's still looking--

The Common Ground Country Fair is a HUGE festival in central Maine, that attracts people from all over the state and beyond. It's an agricultural fair, but there's no rides or fried dough or anything-- just tons of arts & crafts, concerts, and organic food vendors, plus the more typical farm animals and demos. It has a great vibe-- lots of artsy people attend and exhibit, and people sell everything from high-end, precious stone jewelry and artisan furniture, to recycled metal sculptures, aromatherapy candles and soaps, and homemade jam. It focuses on things made/grown/baked in Maine, but it definitely has more craftster-type edge to it than your average country fair. You have to apply to be a vendor, and the more handmade your stuff is, the more likely you are to get in. I think there may be stiff competition and an exhibition fee, but it's worth it for the ridiculously huge crowds that attend every year, rain or shine! I've never exhibited, but have volunteered there for years, and it's always a really fun event. www.mofga.org for more info - just noticed the vendor DEADLINE IS JANUARY 28th, if anyone's interested!

Also, Ogunquit has a Sidewalk Art Show in the summer-- it's only one day, but there's always a good crowd(with locals and tourists), and there's a nice mix of all kinds of artists (photography, woodwork, sculpture, etc). According to the chamber of commerce website, it's going to be on August 24 this year. http://www.ogunquit.org/calendar/Web_Event_Display.cfm?eventID=823 for more info

It's so hard to find out about fairs when you're just starting out (like me!)-- anyone have other suggestions?