The Vendor List is Up!

After a difficult selection process, the list of vendors is finally here! Over 60 local artisan vendors will bring their wonderful creations to GO WEST! Craft Fest this fall, like jewelry, accessories, ceramics, soaps, candles, home goods, clothing, prints, cards and much more. We've included tried-and-true favorites as well as some new surprises. Preview the list, then meet the artists and check out their work in person, September 29 at the Woodlands.

Vendors: if you were accepted for this show, please check your listing and let us know if we need to make any corrections. If you missed the application deadline, you may still apply for future shows. The next GO WEST! will be at the Rotunda on December 15, and we intend to do it again in the spring and fall as well. Sign up for the VIX Emporium newsletter to receive updates as they become available.

We are still looking to accept one or two more fabulous FOOD trucks or vendors, preferably those who emphasize local, sustainable and responsibly sourced ingredients, presented in artful, skillful and individual ways (e.g. not the ordinary hot dog/pretzel/water ice sellers). Their focus should be main lunch or brunch dishes, as we have already confirmed West Philly's own award-winning Lil'Pop Shop for dessert! Food vendors must be fully licensed and certified in the city of Philadelphia. If you are interested in being considered, please get in touch at gowestcraftfest@gmail.com.

We can't wait to see you at GO WEST! Meanwhile, stay tuned for profiles of some of our inventive vendors, entertainers and other highlights!

GW!CF is back for Fall!

Mark your calendar: GO WEST! Craft Fest is back in the Woodlands on Saturday, September 29. From 11-5, join us and SIXTY of Philly's finest artists and craftspeople showing their wonderful wares. We'll also have live entertainment, music, and even a few choice food vendors.

Artists, check out our fancy new vendor application on the right. If you'd like to participate, fill it out, and don't forget to click "submit" at the end. The early application deadline is August 5 and we'll get back to you shortly thereafter.

We are so excited about our Fall show, the biggest and best yet. We hope you can make it!

Highlights from GO WEST! Craft Fest

Thanks so much to everyone who came out for the Fest. It turned out to be an amazing day! Special thanks to our amazing artisan vendors and the entertainers: Jay Sand, Sour Mash, Jheni the face painter, Brien the juggler and Tiny Circus!

We hope to bring our beloved West Philly an even bigger and better Fest in the Fall, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, check out this slideshow of moments from Saturday.

Checklist for GO WEST! Craft Fest

The trees are in full bloom, and the weather should be lovely this Saturday. What a perfect day for a Craft Fest! Here are some things to remember that might help make the most of your day at GO WEST! Craft Fest at The Woodlands.

• SEPTA tokens. The Fest is right across from the 40th Street trolley portal, served by the 12, 13, 34 and 36 trolleys. Hop on any westbound "Green Line" subway/surface car from Center City (EXCEPT the 10) and arrive in minutes.
• Comfortable shoes. While the Fest is conveniently close to the entrance, visitors may choose to explore farther into the 54-acre grounds and even tour the Hamilton Mansion, a grand example of 18th century neoclassical architecture. William Hamilton, an avid botanist, collected and planted dozens of various trees on the estate, many of which are now some of our nation's oldest and largest specimens, thriving among the monuments for over 30 thousand eternal Philadelphians. Stroll the winding paths and see for yourself.
• Your Gift List. Our talented vendors make a huge variety of products, like jewelry, clothing, accessories, fine art, cards, toys, candles, teas and more, even honey produced right there on the grounds of the Woodlands. Keep in mind your loved ones' birthdays, weddings, graduations and other gift-giving occasions like Mother's Day and Father's Day. Your unique GO WEST! gift will be fondly remembered because it was made with love and care by a local artisan.
• Cash. Some of our vendors do accept credit cards, but there is a good chance that the irresistible treasure you discover can be had for cash only and may not be seen again (even at VIX). The closest ATM is at Mill Creek Tavern, 4200 Chester Avenue.
• A Picnic Lunch and Blanket. The Woodlands is a perfect place for a picnic, but keep in mind that besides Black Orchid's vegan specialties, there will be no prepared food available at the event. Pack a bag or stop by on your way to get a banh mi from Fu Wah, a chaat from Desi Chaat, or something yummy from Milk & Honey, Best House, Green Line or any of the other fine food establishments on Baltimore Avenue. The closest food/beverage availability is Starbucks, 4140 Woodland.
  
• A child, who will have tons of fun singing and playing music with Jay Sand of All Around This World at 1pm, and be mesmerized by fancy juggling tricks and trapeze artists.
  
• A camera, to capture memories of a perfect spring day, the flowering trees, historic monuments, and the dazzling aerial feats that TinyCircus will perform at 3pm!
• Your senses of curiosity, creativity and wonder, and enough time to experience the day. Hope to see you there!

New Venue for GO WEST! Craft Fest: The Woodlands!

We are delighted to announce that this Spring's Craft Fest, our biggest yet, will be held at The Woodlands, one of West Philly's most special spots. Located at 40th Street where Baltimore, Chester and Woodland Avenues meet, this 54-acre "historic mansion, cemetery and landscape" is a serene and natural green space, popular with joggers, dog walkers and history buffs, as well as the final resting place of over 30 thousand Philadelphians since 1840.

The Craft Fest will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 11-5 (rain date April 15) just inside the main gates of the grounds, directly across Woodland Avenue from the 40th St. trolley portal (served by the 11, 13, 34 and 36 trolleys). In addition to FIFTY of Philly's finest makers of jewelry, art prints, home goods, paper goods, ceramics, wood crafts, clothing, accessories, toys, soaps, candles and more, there will be live entertainment! Jay Sand of All Around This World will do a kid's music set at 1 pm, Tiny Circus will perform aerial feats at 3 pm, and there will be random acts of juggling throughout the day. Face painting for kids, too!

The Craft Fest is in a space that is adjacent to but set apart from the cemetery, so show-goers need not encounter any grave sites if they don't wish to. More intrepid visitors may stroll around the grounds and view historic grave markers and monuments, including notables such as architect Paul Philippe Cret (1876-1945), financier Francis Martin Drexel (1792-1863), artist Thomas Eakins (1844-1916), abolitionist Mary Grew (1813-96), surgeon Samuel Gross (1805-84), and Commodore David Porter (1780-1843). The elegant 18th century neoclassical mansion of botanist William Hamilton, contemporary of John Bartram and grandson of the original "Philadelphia lawyer" Andrew Hamilton, will also be open for tours. His former estate is now the home of some of our state's stateliest trees, including a handful of Pennsylvania champion specimens, some originally collected by Hamilton himself.

We are so excited to be holding this Spring's GO WEST! Craft Fest at The Woodlands.

See you in West!

April 14th Go West! -Now Accepting Applications-

Now accepting applications for the spring Fest on April 14th. Please check out our vendor information and apply to gowestcraftfest@gmail.com. We already have many talented folks in the line up, not to mention some wonderful performers that we'll be showcasing soon. We're really looking forward to an amazing kickoff to the Craft Fair season!

Thanks for an awesome show!

Thank you so much to all our amazing vendors and to all you lovely people who came out to support our local craft scene! It was a terrifically successful day, we couldn't have hoped for more. You can read a great PW blog post about the event here.

Check back soon for details & happenings at our Spring Go West! Craft Fest, April 14.