Craft Show in the Country | Video

Jenny Castro | 10/8/2012

Craft shows range in size and location. A family barn has proven to be a fitting place for one that keeps growing, bringing hundreds of people out for the annual fall event. At the Novak barn, just outside of Minot, the packed craft show, which took place on Saturday, is well-known in the area.

The Novaks came up with the idea for the show as they were cleaning up the barn for a different occasion.

"My daughter got married in the barn so we cleaned it all up for the wedding and decided, well should we get the cows back in. And it`s all clean and decided no, we`ll go ahead and have a craft show," said organizer Jeri Novak.

Eight years later, vendors contact the Novaks to be here and the attendees just know every year to look for the date of the Country Barn Crafters Fall Craft Show.

"We always make sure we find out when it`s going to be, so my daughter and I come out every year," said shopper Barb Nelson.

"The reason it`s become so big like this is them, themselves, they`re just so warm, friendly and they greet everybody and it`s just all real," said vendor Sandra Flemming.

Inside the barn, vendors fill the area from corner to corner, selling everything from jewelry to holiday decorations.

"I like to see the homemade, like kuchen, the kuchen and the buns, stuff like that. Homemade crafts, those are fun to see," Nelson said.

Outside the barn, kids are drawn to several activities, including a train ride or a walk through the pumpkin patch.

"I think they like coming out to the country, I think you know and I think they like the family idea and if you bring your kids you can do a little shopping and kids can have a little fun," Novak said.

Every year, Novak hands out flyers and buys a radio ad or two to promote the craft show. But she says word of mouth is what brings in most of the craft shoppers.

Last year, the craft show had more 1,800 people in attendance. Novak says besides craft events, they also host weddings in the barn.

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