With over 140 vendors, thousands of people visited the Southampton Craft Show July 6.

Hub Staff

On a warm and sunny summer day, July 6 in Southampton, thousands of people flocked to the Southampton Coliseum for the 48th annual Southampton Craft Show.

The hugely popular craft show is the major fundraiser of the year for PRANCE (Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians), a charitable organization that offers therapeutic equestrian programs for people with intellectual, physical and emotional disabilities.

The show was originally run by the Women's Institute with PRANCE taking over 13 years ago. “When they decided to downsize and not do it any longer PRANCE took it over and we now have a volunteer board who looks after it,” said Operations Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for PRANCE, Ann Veyvera-Divinski who added that although they wouldn't know an exact amount raised from this year's show until later in the year, they netted approximately $14,000 at last year’s event, money which goes towards the organization’s general programming.

“We have over 140 vendors and many of them are repeats,” said Veyvera-Divinski. “They love this show, the venue, the people. It's so well organized.”

With a free shuttle service, running hourly from various pick up and drop off locations in Port Elgin, Saugeen Shores residents and visitors had the opportunity to view and purchase unique work from a huge variety of artists and artisans.

Dale's Baking from Tara was a popular stop inside the Southampton Coliseum.

Operations Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for PRANCE, Ann Veyvera-Divinski, was busy selling 50/50 tickets at the Southampton Craft Show.

It was the first time attending the show for Donna Campbell of Mosaics by Donna J in Chesley and she said she was thrilled with the Southampton event.

It had been a busy morning for toy maker Jerry Thorpe of Thorpe Toys in Waterloo. A regular vendor at the show, Thorpe said he had been visiting the Southampton Craft Show for the past 40 years.

From left, Marie Perreault, Sharon Thede and Germaine Roy were collecting admission into the Southampton Craft Show. Just a few of the many volunteers at the show held at the Southampton Coliseum.

Food court volunteers, from left, Noah Waldmann, Vida Zelenka, Amy Hodkinson and Vida Zelenka were kept busy feeding and serving visitors.

Earthbound staff Sydney Welsh (left) and Susan Fahey had traveled down from the Bruce Peninsula bringing a selection of plants from their gardens and greenhouses in Red Bay.

Bonnie Perry of Woolies in the Country, from near Owen Sound, had brought a variety of her all natural products, including candles, soaps and skin care products.

Vendors and visitors lined the outside of the Southampton Coliseum as well as the inside.