TREASURES FOR ALL TASTES
Looking for some handmade gems to gift loved ones this festive season? With over 150 stalls brimming with local arts and crafts, the Green Ant Craft Fair is the perfect place to pick up some pressies.
WORDS RITA HORANYI
STEP INTO AIR-CONDITIONED comfort as the Territory Netball Stadium transforms into a vibrant festive hub for local artisans and makers of all sorts. From ceramics and textiles to paintings and books, the Green Ant Craft Fair has every kind of handcrafted treasure you could imagine, and is fiercely committed to its local handmade ethos.
“If the artist or the person doesn’t dramatically change the original state of something or produce it themselves, then they can’t come … There’ll be nothing that isn’t created in the NT,” says organiser Hannah Swales.
In addition to scooping up some gorgeous goodies, you’ll walk away knowing your pennies are supporting local creatives. The Fair also gives a leg up to young artists, offering a 50 percent discount on stall fees to those under 18, and promoting their products through social media for exposure.
“They’re up and coming, they’re going to step into bigger shoes later in life, so it’s really important to support them and make them feel welcome so they’ll keep coming back,” Swales says.
The Fair has pulled out all the stops to ensure the event is a fun day out, with live music and plenty of activities for the little ones, including a drawing competition and sessions with Fairy Jill. Gordon the Green Ant – a six-foot-tall velvet mascot – can be seen Green Ant Christmas Craft Fair wandering around contributing to the festive fun. Feast on sweet treats from Petra’s Raw Cakes or Sweet Little Vintage, or grab a feed from a host of food trucks.
Stallholders can win back their fees by dressing up their stalls, so expect plenty of festoons and decorations as people get into the Christmas spirit. Punters don’t miss out either, with two $250 door prizes up for grabs between 12 and 3pm on the second day. Winners are announced at 3pm on Sunday and have an hour to spend their $250 prize at the fair. What a fun way to wind up your weekend!
There’s also a photo booth/ family portrait space set up for those who want to preserve their memories, which points to the strong sense of community the fair cultivates.
“I try and create that relationship with the stallholders prior to the event, so they feel a bit like they’re part of a family,” Swales says.
It’s a feeling that’s sure to extend to patrons as well, so head on down and enjoy the fair’s welcoming embrace.
Green Ant Christmas Craft Fair
WHEN SAT 29 & SUN 30 NOV 9AM-4PM
AT TERRITORY NETBALL STADIUM
COST $4 PRESALE | $5 DOOR
INFO facebook.com/greenantcraftfair
