by Noella Noelophile®
What’s better than a picnic in a beautiful Southern California park, the weekend before Thanksgiving?
How about–a picnic in that park, surrounded by more than 200 handmade artisans, with music by local musicians AND a chance to have fun learning to hula hoop–or to get a workout polishing the “hooping” skills you already have?
And you don’t even have to pack a picnic basket. Just bring a blanket: food vendors will be waiting to tempt your appetite!
That’s a celebration, Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair-style. And it’s happening in Pasadena’s Central Park, this weekend! If you’re out and about (fully vaccinated and observing all the safety protocols, please!), this is going to be a blast!
(Quick note–if you’re still isolated during these scary COVID days, you still get to “shop handmade from home”! Here’s the link to Jackalope Arts’ “Local Undercover” online marketplace. I bought some gorgeous earrings for some of the folks on my gift list through them, last year. And currently browsing for–well, better not say. No need to spoil the surprise if they read this!)
And, if you are going out. here are the details.
From 10 am to 4 pm, this Saturday and Sunday, November 20th and 21st, Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair will welcome 200+ local artisans to Central Park, in the heart of Old Pasadena. Admission is free, and the focus is on the creative community. This is your chance to meet the artists and hear the stories behind the creations!
Browsing the multiple booths, you’re likely to find treasures including: bracelet kits that can help kids with their math; amazing ornaments (we still hang up the gold “string art” snowflake plaque which I found at a previous Jackalope Fair, every Christmas!); unique planters; slippers and other handcrafted wearables; and more other imaginative, fun items than you have the time for me to list.
While you’re there, don’t forget to drop by the Fuzzie Dot booth and say “hi” to gifted creator Kristin Oxnard. Wait’ll you see her adorable animal blankets!
Starting with a circle, Kristin designs a line of animal blankets for babies and small children, out of an incredibly-soft plush called “minky”. Kristin has patented her unique design, and can take custom orders if you have an animal in mind which you don’t see in her booth. Here’s the link to our earlier interview, in which she shares the story of her small handmade business.
And she didn’t forget us bigger folks–her “Luxie Dot” throws are designed to curl up with on a chilly night, perhaps with a Christmas movie and a cup of hot chocolate! Or, if you’re going out on the town–New Year’s Eve, perhaps?–and want a touch of something luxurious, ask to see her purses, too.
Meanwhile, you’ll get to enjoy acoustic music as local musicians Ricky England, Jackson Crow, and The Simian Racket take the performance stage. But you and your family don’t have to be passive attendees if you prefer to be interactive!
On Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to noon, kids get to participate in a “kids’ music session”, courtesy of Ricky England. And both days, little kids and us “big kids” get to participate in a hula-hooping workshop, with Eclectic Hoops!
I had the pleasure of interviewing Eclectic Hoops proprietor Jennifer Jensen in 2016, and she’s a performing artist who loves what she does! Jennifer creates handmade dance hoops, and can also do custom designs.
While I personally love her purple fake-fur hoops, if you’re performing live (in a Christmas show or parade, perhaps?) you might like to see her sparklier varieties. These are knock-your-eyes-out gorgeous!
Oh–almost forgot–the food!
The cuisine at Jackalope Arts Pasadena could make the apples, cheese and crackers we used to take on family picnics, look pretty bland, by comparison.
In the food-truck department: on Saturday, you’ll get to sample fusion cuisine from the Thai Mex Truck, while the Kogi BBQ truck will be there Sunday only. And both days, expect to find some amazing burgers, Caribbean cuisine and chai drinks!
Meanwhile, the artisanal food booths will include Ken’s Porkstickers, Avocadamama, Unforgettable Lemonade, Erva Brew, Niki’s Creamery, and Better Together Sweets. So, pork potstickers, plant-based mac and cheese, all-fresh-ingredient lemonade, craft sorbets, and artisanal pudding cups in flavors like strawberry shortcake–wow. You’re sure to find a new favorite–and maybe something special for the “foodies” on your gift list, as well.
And a huge “congratulations” to Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair, for all they’ve done since debuting in Pasadena’s Central Park in April, 2015!
Today. they continue their mission of giving communities a chance to meet creators of the highest-quality handcrafted goods, with shows in FOUR cities: Pasadena, Denver, Burbank and Minneapolis! And when COVID struck, they continued to support artists with the above-mentioned “Local Undercover” virtual market. Currently, they’re also recruiting artists for their spring shows in Pasadena and Burbank. If you have something amazing to share, here’s the link to apply.
Yay, Jackalope! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone onsite again in the very near future.
The Jackalope Pasadena Indie Artisan Fair happens this Saturday and Sunday, November 20th and 21st, from 10 am to 4 pm, in Central Park, on Raymond at Del Mar, in Old Town Pasadena. Admission is free, and free 90-minute parking is available at all “Park and Walk” structures in Old Town. Parking fees are $2 per hour thereafter, up to $8 max, per day.
And, save the date! Jackalope Burbank happens Saturday and Sunday, December 11th and 12th in downtown Burbank.