Holiday shoppers find a less-hectic pace and plenty of gifts at Viking Hall craft show

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Viking Hall Civic Center’s 25th Annual Country Christmas Craft Show kicked off on "Black Friday."

The atmosphere inside the hall, which held locally made arts, crafts, good eats and a mellow backdrop of cozy, traditional holiday music, was the reverse of frenzied scenes taking place at retail stores across the nation.

"Ah, I like that," said one laid-back browser to another.

"Yeah, and look at this – have you tasted one of these?"

For 25 years now, vendors and visitors have gathered inside Viking Hall the day after their Thanksgiving feasts to begin the annual holiday experience Bristol style.

"That was both mine and my mom’s money," said a smiling 10-year-old Kayla Wofford, from Franklin, Tenn., after handing money to a vendor in exchange for a new purse.

"It caught my eye, and I like polka dots. I also bought my mom a bracelet," she said quietly, attempting to keep that purchase a secret.

Kayla’s mother, Sheri, said it was their first time at the show.

"I bought a cashmere scarf, and it’s really nice," said Sheri Wofford. "At least here, you’re not just buying a product off the rack at a mall."

Viking Hall generally is used for sporting events and concerts, but from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, it will be house more than 100 exhibitors and vendors stationed around the arena, the floor, stage and mezzanine area, said Darlene Cole, venue manager.

"Each year around September, we begin receiving calls from people wanting to know if the craft show is coming in November," she said. "We also receive calls from crafts people all over the Southeast wanting to know how to be a part on this long-running show. We are indeed excited about hosting this holiday experience."

Attending the craft show has become a tradition in many families.

Pat and Ronnie Rader, of Greeneville, Tenn., have brought their wares to the show since its inception.

"Ronnie’s carving a snowman out of cedar," said his wife, Pat. "He also carves cedar turkeys and other crafts. He does the woodwork, I do the painting."

This year is Jean Hancock’s first chance to sell her unique wool hats at any crafts show.

"We take two strands of 100 percent wool and weave them together in what is at first an oversized hat," she said. "We then wash and dry them and fit them on a mannequin head and they shrink down to the desired size. They’re called felted hats. You really have to live and learn to get it where you want it."

Chefs from the Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College will be entertaining and educating again this year with demonstrations of holiday foods and appetizers.

Many different types of food are available during the event. For starters, freshly made kettle corn is prepared just outside the entrance to Viking Hall.

Once inside, many items area available to choose from, including delights like homemade fudge, pretzels and candies. There also are specialty items that vendors say would make great gifts such as jellies, jams, hot sauces, gourmet grape juice, and even hard to find spice mixes.

And, while children are getting their faces painted or making a Christmas ornament, parents can listen to live music or wait for their names to be called for one of the hourly door prizes.

The Country Christmas Show producers also want to continue the holiday spirit by giving back to the community.

Donations of canned food will be accepted at the entrance of Viking Hall. The donations will be delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank in time for the holidays.

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