Occoquan brought back its spring craft show in May after it was canceled last year due to the pandemic. But it wasn’t the craft show people remembered.
The event on May 8 and 9 was the first of three artisan markets that featured 50 vendors who set up shop in River Mill Park, the municipal green at the end of Mill Street, overlooking the Occoquan River.
The park could accommodate more. However, the town was abiding by coronavirus restrictions that were still in place at the time. The event attracted more than 2,000 people, said town Mayor Earnie Porta.
Two more artisan markets are planned at the park — this Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6, respectively. They’ll do it again the following month on Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11.
In a normal year, the spring and fall craft shows bring in the majority of the annual revenue for the tiny town, about $100,000 per show. The town hopes the three markets will bring in nearly the same revenue as a single craft fair.
