WEST SPRINGFIELD — If you are looking for a gift for a special someone this holiday season, you may find just what you are looking for at this weekend’s 37th edition of the Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler.
Held in the Better Living Center on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, craft fair hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and free for children 12 and under.
If you are a regular shopper each year at the Old Deerfield Holiday Sampler, you can still expect plenty of new items this year.
“We have 49 new crafters on board for this year’s show among 200 juried crafters from nine states,” said John O’Neill, co-coordinator of the Holiday Sampler.
As shoppers browse the aisles, they will find handmade creations in a variety of categories such as ceramics, printmaking, mixed media, jewelry, sculpture, fiber, photography, fashion, woodworking, glass, leather and fine art.
Nancy and John Kilrain, who call themselves The Wooden Folks, have attended the Holiday Sampler as exhibitors for many years.
At one time the Kilrains made Christmas-themed holiday houses out of paper mache that they would paint, and John would drill very tiny holes into them that Nancy would painstakingly press little lights into.
They are in many homes today, she noted, and are somewhat “collector’s items” since the wholesaler they bought the houses from went out of business after the COVID pandemic.
Today, they are still selling houses, but now they are making the houses from scratch. This results in exquisite miniature wooden village scenes that evoke the enchanting spirit of traditional “Old New England.”
“John was retired and was looking for something to keep him busy. He was making these little wooden houses and thought they would look good placed on a board and making a little scene with them. There is snow on the houses and on a barn, as well as on the top of the board where we have placed little snowmen and trees covered in snow as part of each scene,” said Nancy.
The Kilrains also have the distinction of having one of their wooden ornaments hang on the White House Christmas tree.
“Back in 2001, Marcia Wojewoda, who was coordinator of the Holiday Sampler at that time, received a phone call that the White House was looking for hand-painted wooden ornaments that depicted historical buildings. We made one of the Deerfield Town Hall and even got to visit the White House to see the tree,” Nancy said.
This year’s Holiday Sampler will feature free family craftmaking all weekend. A craft sampler favorite each year, there also will be an expertly handcrafted miniature New England village to explore, circa 1897, which was created by Beverly Kidder.
Shoppers can also take part in a contest by voting for their favorite festively decorated booth. Every year, exhibitors are encouraged to use their creative talents to spruce up their booths for the holidays.
Adding a festive spirit to the holiday-themed show, there will be a DJ playing Christmas music and other hits both days.
And, straight from the North Pole, Santa will be making a special appearance to meet with all believers.
Going up and down all the aisles in the Better Living Center can help work up an appetite, and Big E concessions will be serving up hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries and more.
Many homemade treats also will be sold by specialty food vendors at the craft show — eat them at home or save them for gift-giving. Among the treats include honey, chocolates, jam, jellies, pickles, gourmet cotton candy and marshmallows, cotton candy, maple items, peanut butter, hot fudge and much more, including new this year, The Pocono Pickle Guy.
Proceeds from the weekend event support the many historical and educational programs of the nonprofit Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, organizers of the Old Deerfield Craft Fairs.
The Big E charges $5 for parking. Visitors are encouraged to turn in their parking receipt at the Information Booth inside the show for a 2-for-1 coupon good for the 2026 Spring Sampler.
For more information, visit Deerfield-craft.org or call 413-774-5400.
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