Photos by Catherine Stachowiak
Over two-dozen vending artists featured many types of art creations all weekend long at the Kern River Valley Art Association’s (KRVAA) Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival. The event held at Circle Park in Kernville, Saturday August 31 through Monday September 2 was fairly well attended.
Organizer, Laura Tran, who is vice president of the KRVAA, said the association had plenty to draw in visitors. “Every 30 minutes to an hour we pull out gift cards from all over the valley. And People get tickets for the drawings for $1 each, or 6 for $5. And then Sunday is usually our ending for our silent auction,” she said.
Donors provided gift cards and auction items from various businesses of the valley for the silent auction and drawings.
Crystalyn Ross, of Lake Isabella, was vendor at the event. She bought 150 drawing tickets for prizes that day. “I’ve already used the coffee (gift card,)” she said gleefully.
Ross told the Kern Valley Sun that she also promotes others to buy more tickets to the drawings that raise money for the KRVAA. Saturday morning alone she had already won gift cards to Pizza Factory, Subway, the Rio, McNally’s and Big Blue Bear.
Ross is owner of Crystalyn Creations and does bead work, creates 3D art, necklaces and charms with stones, and offers feather hair clips, tee shirts, cups, and custom pins among other items. “We’re having fun,” she said. “I’ve been here (vending) for 27 years doing this. I’ve had this same space and everything. I’m here for Memorial Day, Labor Day, October fest, Whiskey Flats, all the events up here.”
According to Tran the association required all vendors to be hand made vendors and the association has held the event for over 25 years.
During the event the rock band “Triple Threat” played for entertainment. The association also held its Painted Rocks Distribution, which the former vice president of the association Brent Puniwai instituted before he passed away. Half of the rocks were sent to several campgrounds. Visitors finding a rock, and turning it into the office claimed a prize. Visitors at the festival finding a rock at Circle Park, that weekend, won prizes.
Classic rock band “Triple Threat” played for entertainment 
Regular vendor, Londynn Moreland, owner of P.A.H. Crafts sells her creations 
Crystalyn Ross, 27 year art vendor, bought over 100 drawing tickets that day 
Laura Tran, vice president of the KRVAA organized the event
