West Broad Street in downtown Greenville was full of excitement Sept. 18-20 as people lined up in front of Huguenot Mill for the 6th annual Indie Craft Parade. This year, the popular local crafts festival showcased 80 Southern artists and their unique handmade goods. On entering the craft haven, the sweet smell of baked goods, organic candles and gourmet cooking salts scented took excited Greenville residences and visitors by surprise and spiked hopes of purchasing the quirky and innovative items the Parade had to offer.
The event showcased a myriad of crafts from the fields of two-dimensional art, three-dimensional fine art, fiber art, paper goods, apparel and more. New vendors like Ryan Boase, the head of ReAcoustic in Greenville, really enjoyed the experience. Boase, who produces items such as Bluetooth speakers from antique horns, highly appreciated the customers’ enthusiasm, who were “interested and fascinated” by his work.
Experienced vendors like Deb Potter enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere of the Indie Craft Parade. Potter, owner of Merciful Hearts Farm in Williamston, S.C., has been selling her fabric art at the Indie Craft Parade for six years.
“The volunteers that set up the parade are very nice and take good care of the vendors,” she said. “I sell at the Saturday Market every week, but being at The Indie Craft Parade is a blessing.”
Vendors and buyers alike seemed to flourish in the upbeat weekend atmosphere of the parade.
The craft parade doled out other services to help keep the energy high. Fans could purchase Indie Craft Parade official merchandise near the main entrance and model their love of the event. Hungry shoppers could stop into one of several stands by local vendors including Swamp Rabbit Café, Tealoha, Circa Doughnut, King of Pops and Methodical Coffee for a quick pick-me-up. Additionally, parade goers of all ages had the option of taking a break from shopping and visiting the photo booth for a free souvenir. Even kids had something extra to do with the tattoos and stickers booth.
The Indie Craft Parade, now a vital part of Greenville’s culture, returns next fall. If you missed out on the beauty and ingenuity of the vendors’ creations, make plans for it now, because the glitter and glamor of the parade are far too good to miss.