Snowflake Boutique kicks off holidays

In its 31st year, organizers of the Snowflake Boutique have decided to try some new things with their traditional craft show.

When organizers opened the doors of their annual holiday show last November, they found they were competing with 14 other holiday gift shows. So they got out their calendars and decided to "go back to being the first show in the area."

One organizer said that Snowflake has been known for years as the first holiday show in Deschutes County and will stay that way by opening this weekend. Pat Lamoureux is excited that this year's show, themed Thirty One-derful Years, will once again be the first of the Christmas season.

"We are an upscale show," said Lamoureux, who added that exhibitors are juried. "We really have unique, wonderful things."

This year Snowflake has expanded to a larger space and added more booths. In the past there have been around 50 exhibitors. This weekend around 70 exhibitors will sell items including, metal work, stained glass, cards, pottery, soaps, stepping stones and rustic furniture.

Shoppers will find Thanksgiving items and holiday gifts while knowing they are benefiting local families.

"The intent was to not only market our items; it was to give back to the community," said Lamoureux.

This year, Snowflake will again donate proceeds to FAN (Family Access Network). FAN provides families and children with links to nonprofit services. Lamoureux hopes to raise $2,000 for FAN this year.

Snowflake Boutique was started in 1975 by women crafters who sold holiday items out of their homes and has grown into a large show at Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond. Snowflake opens this Friday, October 27 from 1 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the fairgrounds in the North Sister building.

For more information, visit http://www.snowflakeboutique.org.