During the next few months, residents and tourists in the Shenandoah Valley will have many opportunities to attend craft fairs and bazaars. Before setting-out, a discussion of some of the terms relating to these shows might be helpful because sponsors often blur the distinctions by holding multi-functional events. A bazaar and a craft show both provide a market area or stall for selling various kinds of goods, however, the goods at a bazaar are more diversified than at a crafts fair and are usually used by an organization to raise money, e.g. jumble sale at the nearby church. Food is an essential feature at a bazaar; a craft fair focuses on the work of artists. The August/September 2011 issue of American Craft magazine celebrated seventy years of American handmade history that includes ceramics, fiber, glass, wood, metal, paper and individual influences on these crafts. Nationwide, October 7-16 is designated as American Craft Week
