It was not going to happen. It was over. And then it wasn’t.
Greenwich, a tiny historic town hugging Cumberland County’s bayside coastline, has been the setting of an artisan and craft faire toward the end of September since most folks can remember. It’s been a tradition for more than 50 years—51 to be precise.
But the group that always put it together, the Cumberland County Historical Society, pulled the plug on what has been a beloved start of autumn.
“The people of Greenwich were upset,” said Penny Watson, a resident of the small historic town known for holding its own “tea party” that mirrored events happening in colonial Boston in 1773.
That’s when Watson and about nine other residents approached the the township committee with the idea of taking it over. The faire—make sure to use that fancy “e” at the end of the word—was saved, and the Greenwich Crafts Faire Committee was created.
“It’s a whole new group of people doing it. The historical society is allowing us to use its property and a lot of the equipment,” Watson said, adding that they are all residents of the small town.
Now, the 52nd annual Artisan and Craft Faire will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 28, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, on the grounds of the 1730 Gibbon House, 960 Ye Greate Street in Greenwich. The suggested donation is $5 for adults, with children younger than 12 admitted free of charge.
Watson and her merry band of organizers hope to spice up the old recipe for the faire in Greenwich (that’s pronounced GREEN WITCH, for those who don’t already know).
“We are trying to put more energy into it. In past years, there were a lot of demonstrations and they just kind of petered out,” she said. “There weren’t as many vendors or demonstrators and we are trying to re-energize it.’
Last year, a bad storm forced organizers to reschedule the event for November.
This year, if all goes well, visitors have plenty to keep them busy, including more than 40 vendors (and growing, as of this report).
This longstanding event draws visitors from around the region, attracted by the small town’s history and beauty. Every year, the arts and crafts faire blends a combination of handcrafted items and food while music fills the autumn air.
Among the vendors will be Oxford Earthen Ware Pottery, which produces redware; painters, a traditional cabinetry maker, as well as a crafter who makes baskets from pine needles, which is a traditional Lenne Lenape craft. Look for more pottery, soapmakers, candlemakers, handcrafted jewelry, hand-painted iconic Revolutionary signs, custom lathe work, a glassblower, wreath-makers and much more.
Look for a little tip of the hat to Ye Olde Colonial Conflict when two car clubs show up to give the men something to do. Saturday’s faire will play host to the British Motor Sports Club of South Jersey, which will show off its shiny cars in front of the Gibbon House. On Sunday, look for the Wheels of Thunder Car Club, with its classic American cars.
What’s not to like? Sip on some soup and wander around from table to table, buying or not buying, humming along to the music that brings a little smile to your face. Yes, right: Winter is not far away. But who cares? You are in autumn’s embrace right now, watching the leaves slowly turn red and orange, the scent of a woodburning fire in the air.
Parking is free and located behind the Lummis Genealogical & Historical Research Library, 981 Ye Greate Street, Greenwich, as well as all along Ye Greate Street. There are a few rules to follow: Keep your dogs on a leash at all times, and the person walking the dog must be holding onto the leash. Owners must also pick up after their pets.
Hum and munch. Music will be provided by Nothing 2 Lose, a country music-style band. On Sunday, look for a few more musicians to sit in and play with the band.
The Greenwich-Stow Creek PTO will have a food tent that will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, chili and drinks. “They’re well-known for their chili,” Watson said.
The Greenwich Presbyterian Church will sell soup, and the Quaker Bakers will sell baked goods on Saturday, while another baker will provide goods on Sunday. The Crab Guy and Glass Half Full Coffee also will be at the event, and West Cumberland Little League will sell barbecued chicken.
History is Greenwich’s favorite subject, so it may surprise no one that the one and only George Washington, and his wife, Martha, will make a special appearance to talk about Greenwich’s Tea Burning, which occurred on December 22, 1774. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the local historic event. The historic impersonators are Sam Davis and Mary Bauer of Chesterfield, NJ.
Other special events:
• An appearance by the Stone House History group from Pennsylvania, which will attend the faire in period costume. They will demonstrate various colonial arts, including one person who shows the art of being a “bodger,” or making wooden spoons. Another woman is a weaver, who uses a type of tape that was used back in the day to tie clothing onto the body. The Stone House group is so committed to history that it will be camping out in their tents on Saturday night. “They take it very seriously,” Watson said.
• Local Authors’ Tent (see box on opposite page)
• Trevet’s Company Continental Marines, a group from South Jersey, will conduct a musket drill with children.
• Free admission offered to the Historical Society’s venues, including the Prehistoric Museum, the Gibbon House, the Lummis Library, and the John DuBois Maritime Museum.
• Pumpkin painting will be offered for children as well as a petting zoo, face painting and pony rides.
• South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter will have animals available for adoption.
• Local resident Bill Burton will display his private collection of antique bicycles, including a Penny Farthing bike, the kind with one large wheel and a smaller back wheel.
“We want to reach out beyond Cumberland County,” said Watson. “We want to make sure to get the word out.” The event will be rain or shine, “so we are keeping our fingers crossed,” she added.
Money from the event will benefit next year’s event, “so we can make it even bigger and better!” Watson said. The committee wants to thank its major sponsors, Newfield National Bank, which donated $1,000 toward the faire. Other sponsors are Century Farm & Nursery, Down Jersey Marine, Rivendell Nursery, and Woodruff Energy.
But wait! There’s more! If you’re done with all the goodness of Greenwich’s music, food and crafts, look no further than the adjacent Cohansey River, where New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship, the AJ Meerwald, will be docked on both days, according to executive director Jessica Yorke.
The 1928 oyster schooner will be moored at the Bait Box Restaurant, 30 Hancock’s Harbor Road in Greenwich. River sails, which are $50 per person, will be offered on these two days through the Bayshore Center at Bivalve.
Yorke said they have already booked sailings for the Greenwich event, but have plenty of room left. The sails will emphasize the natural environment, the history of the schooner and much more.
“We are New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship, but we sail up the Delaware River to Cape May and all the way up the Hudson River,” Yorke said. “We’re very excited to be in Greenwich and we’re happy to continue the tradition of being at the artisan faire. We are always looking to get people out on the water in Cumberland County.”
People are invited to bring something to eat, as well as wine or beer aboard the schooner. For details or to schedule a spot on a river sail, call the center at 856-785-2060 or send an e-mail to info@bayshorecenter.org. Website is bayshorecenter.org.
