Vendors, food trucks gather for second fairgrounds event
Dozens of vendors braved the chilly, rainy Saturday weather to take their various goods to the second annual Something for Everyone Sale at the West End Fairgrounds in Gilbert.
“We came early this morning to set up. We are here both days selling our treasures,” said Mary Eckhart. “We have a little bit of everything - jewelry, toys, bedding and clothing.”
She and her sister, May George, unloaded their carloads of items before 8 a.m. Saturday, and set out their items on their tables inside the Howell Building.
Gates opened at 8 a.m. both days, with more than 60 vendors and 12 food trucks.
“Some of our vendors who only signed up for one day decided to wait until tomorrow. We’re expecting a larger crowd on Sunday,” said Julie Weiss, assistant secretary of the West End Fair Association.
Weiss and other volunteers were bundled up in coats with hoodies underneath, and hustled about the fairgrounds trying to keep warm and dry.
A few tables away from Eckhart and George, two friends with a new business were waiting to tell customers about DeeJay’s Creations.
“This is our first event. We’ll see how it goes,” said Deanna Benner. “We’re here both days.”
She and Jenine Havens have worked together at Mudworks for a while. They decided to design and make their own mugs and pottery.
Outside, a few people waited in lines at Pocono Potato Chip and Empanada Train. Other food vendors included Dale’s Concessions, Whitetail Winery, Italian Guys, Sho-Nuff Delights and Diggers Bar-B-Q.
Inside the Flower Building, various vendors were selling baskets, books, clothing, dolls and holiday decorations. In the back section, there were tables of items that the fair directors had contributed to the sale, including cookbooks, picture frames and decorations.
Items that do not sell will be donated to Our Lady Queen of Peace, for their yard sale in June.
The West End Food Pantry collected nonperishable foods under their tent, and hams and turkeys in their refrigerator truck.
The food drive was in honor of Cherylynn Frantz, a longtime food pantry volunteer who was killed in a car crash in March.