Spring Fair boasts a wide variety of vendors, offering everything from T-shirts to soaps, purses, belts, pottery pictures, jewelry, buttons and crab shells. The vendors represent an impressive diversity of tastes. There were a few African booths with beautiful carvings, decorative gourds and wooden jewelry. Asian influence was also seen, in the delicate floral jewelry, which seemed to be blooming in the rare Sunday sun.
Booths with woolen sweaters were reminiscent of those in South American markets. Walking through the Upper Quad felt like strolling through the countries of the world exhibit at Epcot: the land of "Preppy Style" nested comfortably next to hand-crafted Nicaraguan pottery, African American- and jazz-themed framed prints and Latin American pottery.
The range of clientele matched the wide range of booths. Instead of Hopkins kids doubled under bags of books scuttling from the MSE to the Hut, the quad was covered in small children, older couples, families and happy looking college students. The community turnout was great, especially since some of the wares were priced a bit out of poor college students' reach, and business was good for the one sunny day.
Some vendors make a living selling their wares at festivals all over, while others just explore an outlet for their passions and hobbies. The owner of Gnarly Arty, a humorous politically themed T-shirt vendor based in Thurmont, M.D., has been making and selling his shirts for ten years, at events and over the Internet. This was his second year at Spring Fair. The owners of Crabby Creations have been selling their quirky Baltimore art, charcoal bay scenes, oriole- and blue jay-themed caps, and pink flamingoes, here for three years.
Though the bad weather dampened sales, they reported they'd be back next year -- with more of their bestseller crab shell tree ornaments. The "Just Yours" booth, run by two Baltimore lawyers, made its debut at Spring Fair this year. It was truly the product of its owners' passion for sewing, with arts and crafty things like cell phone covers, bottle covers, crayon holders and purses. It also had a quirky flavor, with clever cheese platters made from fused glass of Grey Goose, Rolling Rock and Corona bottles. Still just a hobby more than a business, the owners said they are looking to start selling things on the Internet.
To be a vendor at Spring Fair an application must be filled out, complete with photos and descriptions of the wares. Then the Spring Fair staff selects whom they want. The staff is very involved with the vendors, helping them set up and take down their tents and tables every day, even providing bagels in the morning. The helpfulness and great attitude of the staff is what the ladies of "Just Yours" said kept them wanting to come back, even in the pouring spring rain.
The almost overwhelming array of options provided by vendors at Spring Fair is definitely a refreshing treat away from the mainstream shopping options like Towson mall. Overall, the great community turn-out and the little bit of sunshine made the event a success and made the walk from the MSE to the Hut far more interesting.
