Annual vendor event to raise money for local veterans

An upcoming local event will offer a variety of handcrafted items for sale (and the opportunity to visit a psychic or a massage therapist) while raising money for Crawford County veterans.

The 3rd Annual Event For Crawford County Veterans (Psychic Fair, Artisans, Vendors, Food) will be held on Saturday, April 22, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Grayling American Legion Post 106 (located at 106 S. James Street).

“The event brings in lots of vendors who  will be selling handmade crafts including purses, jewelry, painted glassware, crocheted animals, custom insulated tumblers, candles, wax melts, paintings, wreaths, jams, jellies, sweet treats, clothing, resin art, yard and home decor, as well as oils, crystals, rocks, Paparazzi jewelry, Color Street Nails, patch therapy, and much more,” event organizers said. “There will be a couple licenced massage therapists doing chair massages and several psychic readers/empaths.”

The event is open to the public; there is a $5 per person admission fee. Organizers said vendor fees and admission money “will be used to purchase local merchant gift cards” for veterans. The gift cards will be “dropped off at the Veteran’s Office located on Norway (Street). Crawford County veterans will be able to stop in with their military ID and pick up a gift card. They are limited to one per person,” organizers said.

Event organizer Mary Becker said adding psychics to a vendor fair was a way to offer something different, and the event has grown in its first two years.

“I thought it would be interesting to add psychics to the mix because it’s different than the ordinary vendor fair,” Becker said. “I believe it has sparked lots of interest from the feedback I’ve received. I get asked quite a bit through the year if I’m going to have it again – people loved it!”

“The event has grown; I think it will grow a bit more. It will probably remain a small event because space only allows for so many people. But overall the turnout was excellent and the people coming in were so excited to come see the vendors and to help our veterans,” Becker said.

Becker said her father served in the military, so she wanted to create a fundraiser that would offer some kind of appreciation for those who have served their country.

“I started the event because I wanted to do something fun and help our local veterans, which are dear to me. I am a veteran’s daughter and remember my dad traveled the world fighting for our country, the huge sacrifices he made. We have so many that put their life on the line for us all. They deserve a ‘thank you’ and this is just one small gesture to remind them we care. They can enjoy a small treat to lighten up their day,” Becker said.

Event organizers said the “American Legion will have beverages available for purchase” and “The Keg Bar will be selling a coney dog special for $6 (includes two coneys or plain hot dogs and chips) while supplies last.”

Sponsors for the event are Mary Becker’s Heart of Up North Realty and Transnation Title Agency.