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Festival is booming business

This weekend's 26th annual Lutz Arts and Crafts Festival is now the largest of its kind in the county.

By ELIZABETH MILLER
Published December 2, 2005

LUTZ - Whether you're prowling for holiday gifts and decorations, or just enjoy a stroll through the park with an ice cream cone, you can do both at this weekend's 26th annual Lutz Arts and Crafts Festival at Lake Park.

The festival has become the largest arts and crafts festival in Hillsborough County, said Phyllis Hoedt, co-chair of the event, which is cosponsored by the Lutz-Land O'Lakes Woman's Club and the Hillsborough Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department.

"We try to have quality vendors," said Hoedt. "We have a lot of return vendors who come back each year."

By late summer, the show was booked to capacity with 280 vendors from all over the state.

Westchase's Carol Matthews, who designs silk flower arrangements, has enjoyed healthy business at the festival for five years, she said. She said the festival's long tradition, park setting and artistic quality seem to draw lots of shoppers.

"This is one of the more competitive festivals that I go to," Matthews said.

Crafts available at the festival include woodworking, stained glass, pottery, jewelry, paintings, watercolors, photography and sculpture, said Hoedt.

"This is the third year I'll be participating," said Eileen Mersereaux of Lutz, who creates seasonal lawn decor. "It's so nice under the trees. It's a very hometown atmosphere."

Mersereaux cuts, sands and paints wooden, large-scale decor, which includes everything from flamingos to a 4- by 5-foot nativity scene. She says her pieces always do well at the Lutz show because of the large number of holiday shoppers.

Organizers estimate more than 35,000 people will shop at the festival over the next two days.

They can amble through the sprawling park and browse the many booths with goodies like Cajun food, funnel cakes, hot dogs and ice cream.

"After Thanksgiving, everyone pulls out their Christmas decorations, and they're seeing what they need," said Mersereaux.

[Last modified December 1, 2005, 09:34:11]