Hundreds Flock to Avon for Boardwalk Craft Fair

The Avon-by-the-Sea boardwalk was swimming with people Saturday, as Gardens of Avon-by-the-Sea held its annual Boardwalk Craft Fair. 

Hundreds of shoppers came from land or beach to peruse items offered by approximately 100 vendors, at the fair coordinated by garden club member Helen Cilcooley.

Shoppers at the fair were treated to traditional items such as T-shirts, hats, jewelry, scarves and beach apparel. 

Selling hand-made jewelry at her booth was Grace Station, of Toms River, owner of Gifts by Grace.

“I’ve been coming here about eight or 10 years," Station said. "The young people are very nice – the people are very nice.  I love this area."

A departure from the typical craft fair items was unique mahogany trucks and cars hand-carved by Adolph Prococimer, owner of Priscilla, based in Mountainside. 

Another unique departure was huge hand-hooked wool throw pillows in nautical themes, along with several other seaside items from , which is based right in town.

“This is our first year here. It’s fantastic; beautiful day, beautiful town, beautiful beach,” said Katie Cashman, of Bradley Beach, one of eight women who are members of the Avon co-op.

Diane Salerno was another Avon resident who just recently started her sea glass jewelry business, aptly named Simply Sea Glass. 

Salerno started collecting glass four years ago, and this was her first year at the craft fair, she said.

“It’s a fun day so far. I feel like a David in a Goliath world,” said Salerno, comparing her humble tables brimming with unique jewelry to some of the other enormous tables and booths at the fair.

Hand-made jewelry sprinkled with shell beads and feathers was available at the booth of Brick-based Be Free Creations.

“This is my first year. It’s a really good crowd,” said Ashley Vermeulen, owner of Be Free Creations.

Jodi Hopkinson and Norah Magrini, both Avon-by-the-Sea residents and members of the Avon Home & School Association, manned the Avon School booth which offered Terris tumblers, T-shirts, hoodies, magnets and the Avon School Cookbook, with all proceeds benefiting Avon School. 

According to club members Marie Kenny and Marilynn Placitella, while the club doesn’t receive a cut of the vendors’ profits, proceeds from rental fees go to the club, which uses the proceeds for the beautification of Avon.

The club plants and maintains the floral arrangements along Avon’s boardwalk, as well as on Main Street. 

It also offers a garden therapy program where members visit a local assisted-living facility each month and gives flower-arranging materials and instruction to residents, and donates gardening and conservation materials to the public and school libraries.

Gardens of Avon-by-the-Sea’s next program will be on “Fall Planting for Spring Blooms,” Aug. 18.  For more information, visit www.avonbytheseanj.com.