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Fair succeeds where others have struggled
By JAMIE MALERNEE © St. Petersburg Times, published March 26, 2001 BROOKSVILLE -- Sharon Elliott ventured downtown to the Antiques and Handmade Crafts Springfest over the weekend in hopes she would find a birthday present for a family member. But after peering past typical festival fare and many more unusual items, such as purses in the shape of three-tiered wedding cakes, a bike helmet that looked like a Pokemon character and bracelets melded out of antique silver forks, she still hadn't found anything to suit her. But she said she didn't mind. Nor did her pet Chihuahua, Precious, which Elliott hugged to her chest as she shopped. "They've got a real good variety here, some things I've never seen before," said Elliott, a Brooksville resident, as she looked toward her pet. "I've had a good time; and Precious is enjoying it, too." Springfest appeared to be a hit with many who attended Saturday. Most vendors said sales were up compared with a similar fair last fall and a crafts fair that used to be held every spring. "It's a terrific success. We're seeing a lot more folks than usual," said Evelyn Duncan, co-owner of the Antiques Sampler on Main Street, whose doors were open to foot traffic. "We'll definitely do this again in October." That's good news, others said, considering that last year a similar event was canceled because too few vendors were willing to pay for a booth. Officials hope Springfest will help breathe more life into downtown Brooksville. One particularly popular booth on Saturday offered free antique appraisals by representatives from Action Auctioneers. Brooksville resident Dot Giles heard they were going to be at Springfest and brought a box full of old collectibles she inherited from her grandmother years ago. To her surprise, she was told that a vase was worth $70 and a pottery piece could go for as much as $125. "I had no idea what they were worth," she said with a satisfied nod. John Urzo, an antiques vendor from Spring Hill, said Hernando County residents do not drive as hard a bargain as some of the movie stars to whom he sold items when he worked in Manhattan. There, he met Drew Barrymore and Diana Ross while they were shopping. "It's funny when they try to bargain," he said. "Drew Barrymore said, 'Oh, no, I'm not Drew,' and I said, 'If you're not Drew Barrymore, than I'm your father.' " The only complaint that seemed common at the event was annoyance at the caterpillars that seemed to fall from the sky -- or perhaps just the large oak trees that shaded much of the street. They crawled over quilts and toys, onto people's clothing and in their hair. Art and Kathy Winter, who bought a porcelain gorilla to decorate the house, didn't mind too much, though. They said the entire event had an unusual Southern charm to it. "It's nice and quaint," Kathy Winter said. "I don't like the other big shows."
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