Get a jump on holiday shopping at local fairs

Dis-N-Dat Crafters, whose work includes bowling pins repurposed into Santa and a snowman, is among more than 180 vendors participating in Christmas Crossroads, the Lockport Woman’s Club’s 48th annual juried fair of handmade crafts in November. (Dis-N-Dat Crafters)

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By Vickie Snow Jurkowski

Daily Southtown

A gift may seem more special when it’s handmade, and hundreds of crafters have done the work for you.

Here’s our annual guide to holiday craft fairs.

Oct. 20

A holiday craft fair with more than 60 vendors will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn.

Admission is free. Details at 708-424-5297.

Oct. 27-28

The Mokena Woman’s Club’s 45th annual Holli-Daze Arts and Crafts Show with more than 140 vendors will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27 and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 28 in the Field House of Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort.

A food court will be available. Drawings for door prizes will be held every half hour.

Admission is $4 for attendees ages 12 and older. Details at 708-479-9067 or www.mokena.org.

Nov. 3-4

Schererville Parks & Recreation will host a holiday craft show with more than 150 crafters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at 500 E. Joliet St., Schererville, Ind.

Food trucks will be on-site.

Details at 219- 865-5530 or www.schererville.org.

The 32nd annual Fall Arts & Crafts Show sponsored by the Music Parents Association at Victor J. Andrew High School, 9001 W. 171st St. in Tinley Park, will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 3 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 4.

The fair features raffles, food concessions and more than 100 vendors.

Admission is $4 for attendees age 13 and older.

Details at 708-925-6544 or www.vjamusic.com.

In Stickney, the Holiday Craft Bazaar at St. Pius X Hall, 43rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 4.

Details at 708-484-7951 or www.stpiusxstickney.org.

Nov. 10-11

Amos Alonzo Stagg High School’s annual Music Boosters Fall Craft Fair with 100 vendors will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11 at 8015 W. 111th St. in Palos Hills.

Admission is $2. Details at 708-974-7520 or www.aastaggmusicboosters.org or www.stagg.d230.org.

At St. Christopher School, 14611 Keeler Ave., Midlothian, the Mothers’ Club’s 46th annual craft fair with more than 60 vendors, a bake sale and concessions will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10.

Details at 708-385-8776 or www.stchrisschool.org.

The Holiday Craft Show at St. Jude School, 241 W. Second Ave. in New Lenox, will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10.

Details at 815-485-8049 or www.stjudes.org.

The Frankfort Park District’s 25th annual Holiday Craft and Vendor Show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at Founders Community Center, 140 Oak St., Frankfort.

Admission is free. Details at 815-469-9400 or www.frankfortparks.org.

The annual Red Sled Holiday Craft Bazaar will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at Ogden Avenue Elementary School, 501 Ogden Ave., LaGrange.

Details at 708-482-2480 or www.ogden.102ptc.net.

Nov. 17-18

The 48th annual Christmas Crossroads, one of the oldest and biggest holiday fairs in the Southland featuring more than 180 vendors, will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 17 and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at Lockport East High School, 1333 E. Seventh St., Lockport.

The juried craft fair is limited to handmade crafts and hosted by the Lockport Woman’s Club. All proceeds go toward scholarships, food pantries and other local causes.

Admission is $4, free for those under 13.

A free shuttle will be provided. Strollers are not allowed. Details at www.christmascrossroads.com.

Carl Sandburg High School Athletic Boosters’ annual Fall Craft Show with more than 300 vendors will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18 at 13300 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park.

Admission is $5, free for attendees under 14.

Shuttle service will be provided at multiple parking sites. Details at 708-671-3100 or www.sandburg.d230.org.

In Oak Lawn, the St. Gerald Mothers’ Club will hold a fall craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17 St. Gerald School Gym, 9300 S. Central Ave.

Admission is free. Concessions will be available for purchase. Details via stgcraftshow@stgerald.com.

Nov. 24

Local artisanal wares and local eats and cocktails will be featured at the Holiday Handmade Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24 at The Well at the Distillery, 400 E. Margaret St., Thornton.

Details at 708-877-6222 or www.thewell1857.com.

The Joliet Park District and Sunshine and Rainbows Learning Center will host a holiday craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 24 at 3000 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.

Admission is $1. Details at 815-741-7275 or www.jolietpark.org.

Dec. 1

Alan B. Shepard High School Athletic Booster Club’s annual winter arts and crafts show with more than 120 vendors will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights.

Admission is $2. Details at 708-371-1111 or shepard.chsd218.org.

The annual Holiday Bazaar Arts & Crafts Fair at Sertoma Centre, 4100 W. 1277th St., Alsip, will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1.

The nonprofit agency supports nearly 2,000 individuals with disabilities every year.

Admission is $2. Concessions will be available for purchase. Details at 708-730-6210 or www.sertomacentre.org.

Vickie Snow Jurkowski is a freelancer.