SPRUCE PINE — The Cross Street Commerce Center was alive with activity Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1 during the Rock Hound Craft and Vintage Market.
The event, which was open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, featured 20 vendors who sold retail crafts, jewelry and vintage items.
Event organizer Christy Edwards has organized similar markets in Yancey County.
Edwards felt confident in having the market continue despite the pandemic. Temperature checks and masks were required for all attendees.
Edwards stopped accepting vendors after reaching 20 to allow for the maximum amount of social distancing during the event. Each vendor had a 10-by-12-foot space and one-way aisles for shoppers were made as wide as possible.
Edwards, who is the art teacher at Mountain Heritage High School, said she felt Spruce Pine was a perfect candidate for a craft show.
“This area is so enriched in artists,” she said. “I know a lot of artists and craftspeople and I’ve done crafts for 25 years. That’s kind of why I took this on.”
Two vendors traveled from South Carolina and the majority of the rest came from Mitchell or neighboring counties.
“Doing shows, you meet so many different people,” Edwards said. “They love coming to these small towns.”
Edwards said she hopes to hold a fall market and a Christmas event, also at the Cross Street Commerce Center.