Arts, crafts and cars: A fun day in Ephrata Sept. 10

If you like crafts and cars, plan to be in Ephrata Sept. 10.

The 43rd Annual Arts & Crafts Festival and Car Show will take over the downtown area that Saturday from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.

A few blocks away, the historic Ephrata Cloister will hold its annual Artisan’s Faire on the Cloister grounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For the arts and crafts lover, more than 100 vendors will cover Main Street from Church to Lake streets, and the Cocalico Cruisers will park their classic cars along State Street between Franklin and Locust.

A wide array of food vendors, local crafters and small businesses will be offering fresh baked goods, homemade dog treats, jewelry, candles, handbags, woodworking, photography, wreaths, glasswork, beaded work, and crochet items.

Painted Spring Farm Alpacas will give spinning demonstrations, and Alpacas from the farm will be on hand.

Alpacas from Painted Spring Farm were a popular attraction as last year’s event. (Photo by BS Photography)

There will be live music at multiple locations. From noon to 2 p.m., Main Street will rock with the sounds of the 1950s and ‘60s, performed by the Nomads. Other musical acts include singer/songwriter Sean Campbell, who has been playing the Lancaster scene for over a decade; and Lancaster County native Bobbi Carmitchell, entertaining from 9 a.m. to noon.

Joyful Canvas face painting will be downtown from 9 to 11 a.m. Magic, mayhem and balloons will be provided by Insanity Factor from 10 a.m. to noon.

Car lovers will enjoy the display of vehicles. Retreat of Lancaster County will showcase two special race cars. The Time Bomb (a 1972 Vega) is one of the top funny car teams in the country. The second car is the NHRA TAD Division, and has run a quarter mile as fast as 267 mph in 5.36 seconds.

The Ephrata Cloister art fair will feature local artists selling fine crafts. The admission cost of $10 includes a tour of the Cloister. For an additional $5, visitors can tour the upper level of the Sister’s House. To make a reservation for the tour, call 733-6600.

For more information about these events, visit EphrataArtCraftFest.com.

The Time Bomb