The annual Makers Festival was held for the second year last Saturday, June 1, on South 8th Street from 9am to 4pm.
Part of the county-wide Lebanon Made initiative, the festival took place on S. 8th Street and promoted local artists and businesses.
Products featured at the Festival were required to be handcrafted by the person exhibiting at the show. Of course, they also had to be Lebanon-made!
Below, find some photos of the festival.
Local photographer Scott Miller displayed several of his prints in addition to information about the upcoming August 24 Logan Brinson Elvis Festival. Miller’s proceeds from his photography and the Elvis Festival go to the Lovis Foundation, which supports special needs youth.
By-far the oldest business at the Festival was Wertz Candies, which has been open for 88 years. Chuck Wertz, one of its owners and exhibitor at the festival, said, “The Makers Fest is a really good fit for us because everything was made in the shop just a block away.”
Local artist Kurt Moessner displayed works in various sizes, styles, and mediums at his stand. Moessner is inspired by artists like Rembrandt, Rafael and Van Ike.
Demonstrating multiple stages of the product, the stand for Bob’s Creative Canes contained both fully finished canes and unfinished parts. While the owner has been woodworking for most of his life, he only started selling canes last year.
The stand for Green Bead Glass & Jewelry featured a plethora of necklaces, earrings, glasswork and more. Owner Jan Lipensky was self-taught and her work is hand-made and hand-fused.
In addition to booking music at the event, MAGNAWATT Music Company also sold musically themed jewelry and music accessories at a stand. “It takes into account all my interests and how they converge,” said Managing Director Luther Tyree regarding how his wares combine music and crafting.
Visitors to the event could also try new foods – Not Your Nonna’s Biscotti offered samples of its creative biscotti, with flavors ranging from s’mores to cranberry pecan. “[The Makers Festival] needs to happen and people need to realize this is here,” said owner Audrey Shutter. “It’s exactly what Lebanon needed.”
Healthy Suds offered all-natural lip balm, liquid soap, and bars of soap in multiple scents. Owner Ricki Light has been making soap for around 11 ½ years.
Michaelangelo’s Crafts displayed crafts from jewelry to American Doll clothes to handbags. While it began 10 years ago selling brooms, the business has since expanded to include other craft items and maple syrup.
Zen Cat Creatives, which caters art parties, showed off a few of the things you can make in their activities, including paintings, terrariums, and door mats. While Zen Cat has only been in operation a few months, many of its members formerly made up Brushstrokes on Canvas, a similar business.
Performing both originals and covers, Jolene Windmiller played guitar and sang. Typically, she performs in the alternative country, pop, and folk genres.
Learn more about the Makers Festival and the Community of Lebanon Association at their website.
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