Our favorite show from last year is upon us this coming weekend. Thousands upon thousands of people converge on West Friendship, Maryland to the Howard County Fairgrounds for the Howard County Crafts Spectacular. My good buddy Mark runs this event every year, and I can assure you this event is second to none and no expense is spared. 
Kicking off bright and early Friday morning this 3-day event runs 9 am-5 pm both Friday and Saturday and finishes up from 9 am-4 pm on Sunday. Walking into this event is like walking into a transformation into the holiday season we are only 4 days past Halloween, but you can’t help but get in the Christmas spirit. With Christmas decorations strung throughout the entire fairgrounds and Michael Bublé Christmas music exploding through the sound system you can’t help but want to pull a Will Ferrell and scream “SANTASSSSSSS COMING”.
With almost 400 craft vendors set for this year, this event is most certainly going to be the best in its existence. You can find everything from fudge, Christmas decorations, candy, wood statues, jewelry, clothing, and of course you’re favorite Shore Smoke Seasonings. Last year we were lucky enough to be sandwiched between two of the best vendor neighbors you could have in Gourds Galore and Bees by the Bay. We look forward to hopefully being next to you all again this year
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One of the things I enjoy most about this event is that everyone is in such a great mood, and you can feel the holiday cheer and excitement come through every time you speak to someone. I’m more of a wait until after thanksgiving guy but you can’t help but feel the holiday spirit at this event.
This is one of the few events a year that Nicole accompanies me for the weekend and we both work the event together. This is her time to shine because she is the most Christmas-spirited person I have ever met. (We had our tree up in July last year for those that question her spirit haha) This event is filled with such a warming holiday feeling and with so many attendees this show is sure to bring holiday cheer to all that attend.
Tickets are $5 and parking is free, and they even offer a multi-day pass for only $7 so if you are looking for an event that will get you jazzed up and ready for the holiday season, I assure you look no further than the Howard County Crafts Spectacular.
Shore Smoke Seasonings will have everything this weekend including Shaker bottles, and sample packs which make great stocking stuffers with our newest release “Ocean Pursuit” which is our brand-new seafood seasoning. We will have customizable gift boxes as well as Christmas ornaments, meat claws, various flavors of honey, aprons, shot glasses, smoking wood bundles, swag rags, koozies, and much more. We hope everyone can make it out to this wonderful event and we hope to see you there.
Ryan Stevenson
