More than 700 vendors were expected at the Lititz Rotary Craft Show on Saturday, August 8, 2015, making it one of the largest craft shows in the region. Before heading downtown, a little planning could make the day more enjoyable. Here were five things to do before going.
1. Plan to share your finds
The craft show is one of the most photographed days of the Lititz summer. Shoppers love to show off their treasured finds, and many share selfies with their purchases with friends and family. Before leaving home, it was worth making sure the phone was charged.
2. Know there is no Bonfield shuttle
In 2015, the usual shuttle from Bonfield Elementary School was not running because of construction at the school. Regular visitors were urged to pass the word to friends.
The advice was to come early to find parking. Broad and Main streets downtown are closed during the show, so drivers needed to plan routes and parking spots in advance.
3. Bring a cart and use the package drop
Bringing a cart, or two, and someone to help carry heavy items is a time-honored craft show strategy. Purchases add up quickly, and walking back to a distant parking spot with armloads of goods is no fun.
In 2015, the Young Men’s Business League offered a Craft Show Package Drop just south of Lititz Springs Park for a $5 donation. Shoppers could leave their purchases there instead of trekking back to their cars, which for some visitors were parked as far away as Neffsville.
The package drop was a practical service and a fundraiser for the league, which supports community causes in Lititz.
4. Stay hydrated
August in Lancaster County is often hot and humid, and the craft show involves a lot of walking. Packing plenty of water in the cart was essential.
As the saying went, nobody wants to wither while looking at the dried flower arrangements. Cold drinks were also available from many vendors throughout the show.
5. Plan your route
With hundreds of vendors spread across downtown streets and Lititz Springs Park, a route makes a big difference. One recommended plan was to start by walking west on East Main Street, then head south on Broad Street, cross over and come back up the other side.
Next, visitors could enter Lititz Springs Park and see the vendors on one side on the way in and on the other side on the way out. After that, a left turn north on Broad Street led to Wilbur Chocolate for a free sample, before crossing and continuing south on Broad and turning left on East Main to see the last stretch of the show. The route works just as well in reverse.
A summer highlight
The Lititz Rotary Craft Show has been a fixture of the summer calendar for decades. It draws visitors from across Pennsylvania and neighboring states, and many make it an annual tradition with friends or family.
The show’s appeal lies in its quality and its setting. Artisans sell handmade furniture, pottery, jewelry, textiles, home decor and much more, all against the backdrop of a historic downtown and one of the most beautiful parks in the county.
Proceeds benefit the Lititz Rotary Club’s charitable work, so a day of shopping supports local causes along with local and regional artisans.
Make a day of it
Many visitors make a full day of the show, stopping for lunch at a downtown restaurant, grabbing ice cream or visiting the shops that line Main Street. Some arrive at dawn to get first pick of the vendors, while others prefer the slightly calmer afternoon hours.
Whatever the approach, the keys to success were the same: arrive early, bring a cart, stay hydrated and have a plan. With those in place, shoppers were ready to enjoy one of the best days of the Lititz summer.