Shop the ‘folksy art way’ at Harvest Ridge show Nov. 4-5

On Nov. 4-5 the Holmes County Fairgrounds at Harvest Ridge’s event center will be inundated with vendors presenting all things antique and folksy, when the Earlier Times Antiques & Folk Art Show will provide an aura of pre-Christmas fun.

Event coordinator Cheryl Williams said this show has been around for several years, and she is excited to bring back a show that hosts a variety of shopping options that are great for any time but focused on ushering in the Christmas season.

“One of the nice things about this show is that it presents such a down-home, relaxed and friendly atmosphere,” Williams said. “People can come in and shop to their hearts’ content, and all of the booths will be set up to create a kind of preholiday Christmas buzz that is always exciting.”

A total of 40 vendors will set up camp in the event center at Harvest Ridge, offering a variety of shopping options, like early country antiques, early period antiques, folk art, a variety of candles, handmade Stacee Arnett’s Santas (which are popular seasonal handmades), English pieces, and many other crafts and handmade items.

In addition, Tess Roach, a representative from Early American Life Magazine, will be present to chat with the public.

Exclusively Yours Catering will provide plenty of food options in its cafeteria including the Friday night fish fry, so shoppers can dine on the spot and keep shopping all day.

Williams said one great thing about this weekend is preholiday shoppers can double down on their shopping experience in Holmes County that weekend. While her show at Harvest Ridge will take place Friday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Simple Goods show will take place at the Heritage Community Center near Winesburg on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Williams said that gives shoppers even more opportunity to find exactly what they are looking for in a gift, home-décor item or collectible piece.

“I think having both of these unique shopping experiences on the same weekend is a win-win for everyone,” Williams said. “There’s such a wonderful variety of merchandise people can find, and in addition, there are all these wonderful shops throughout the area where people can experience an entire weekend of shopping and fun in so many venues. With gas prices the way they are, this gives people the opportunity to do a lot of shopping in proximity once they’re here.”

Earlier Times Antiques & Folk Art Show already has a huge following from outside of this area. Williams said she has fielded calls from people as far away as Connecticut, Tennessee and many other states who have marked this event on their calendar.

“They’ve made this weekend their fall getaway in Amish Country, and they enjoy all of the unique items our vendors present,” Williams said. “Our dealers put together beautiful booths, and it gets people in the Christmas spirit for the season.”

She said while many well-known and beloved vendors will return, she has added some new vendors to the show who will bring in even more merchandise.

Williams said locals will find plenty of options of warm and inviting décor for the home, and she is excited to connect with the people in Holmes County and about the upcoming experience she said is more than just a shopping trip, but also an experience that instills joy.

Harvest Ridge is located at 8880 state Route 39, one mile west of Millersburg.