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Organizers of the Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair are hosting the inaugural Fall at the Fort: A Holiday Festival Saturday, Nov. 2. Boasting a few of the renowned fair’s best-loved attractions — arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors, children’s activities — the festival includes a few new features sure to please young and old alike.

“This is the first time that we have had a fall show,” said longtime Fort Deposit Arts Council member and Calico Fort organizer, Frieda Cross. “We have discussed it many times in the past, and it’s been discarded for one reason or another. But this year, our executive committee decided to try it.

“We’ve got an antique car show and have included the Fort Deposit Volunteer Fire Department’s annual grilling cookoff. We have close to 100 exhibitors selling all kinds of things.”

According to Cross, the Calico Fort fair is limited to hand-crafted items. The fall event will feature all kinds of goods.

“You pay the booth fee and you can sell whatever,” Cross said.

Anna Myrick, who helps coordinate vendor registration, said vendors have already signed up to sell everything from custom t-shirts, blankets, purses and trucker hats, to infused sea salts, jewelry, baked goods, honey, freeze dried candies and so much more.

“There will be leather belts, paintings, healthy dog treats, Christmas ornaments, custom woodworking and concrete statues,” Myrick said. “Vendors are also bringing handmade toys, door hangers, bird feeders, baby items, kettle corn, boiled and roasted peanuts, crocheted stuffed animals, metal yard art and more.”

The car show is open to vehicles of all ages and will feature prizes and giveaways. The entry fee is $20, and registration is available online at https://form.jotform.com/241836173204149.

Just like Calico Fort, the festival will benefit activities of the Fort Deposit Arts Council.

“It will benefit the arts council, but it also benefits whomever is involved,” Cross said. “Space for food vendors is offered first to local businesses. Schools, churches and other local organizations will have food booths and this gives the organizations in town the opportunity to make money for their projects.

“Funds from Calico Fort and this festival help us give scholarships. We’ve bought the Jaws of Life for the fire department and [helped with] all sorts of needs in the town.”

Vendor registration is still available for a $35 fee. To register, visit https://form.jotform.com/241686907781167. 

The festival is a one-day event taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Calico Fort grounds in Fort Deposit. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children.