Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Crafters and artisans are displaying the best of their homespun, handcrafted and homemade work today.

Fleece accessories and baked goods, jewelry and Christmas decorations are up for grabs in the halls of Strawberry Park Elementary School.

The 12th annual Christmas in the Rockies, sponsored by the Steamboat Springs Arts Council, gives local and regional artists an excellent opportunity to show off what they've been working on during the year.

Doors open at 9 a.m. The event runs until 4 p.m., but people arrive early to shop for Christmas gifts and ideas at Steamboat's only holiday craft fair.

Many of the items are unique to the Yampa Valley, which means people can make a statement about where they live with the presents they send back home to friends and family.

Local and regional vendors return year after year to sell dozens of their wares.

The seasonal event provides the opportunity to introduce their products to the public.

If people see an item they like, they know where to get it later.

Aspiring and veteran artists alike showcase their work at the elementary school.

Students from Steamboat Springs Middle School are returning to the craft fair this year to highlight some of their handiwork.

Johnny Walker's seventh- and eighth-grade shop classes sell some of their projects to raise money to buy more materials for future projects.

The students earn commissions on individual projects that are sold. On display last year were wooden bat houses, birdhouses and toy trucks.

The atmosphere of the Christmas in the Rockies invites people to stay a while and visit while they shop for gifts.

Local pianist Paul Potyen will provide music.

Plenty of tempting treats are on hand for hungry shoppers.

Christmas in the Rockies conveniently provides holiday shoppers with a central location to peruse all that local and regional artists have to offer.

And the congenial atmosphere among vendors lends itself to a little bartering.

Crafters, artisans and bakers sometimes exchange their baked goods and accessories some Christmas cookies for a festive decoration.

The craft fair features 45 local and regional artisans.

Erin Gilbertson, event and program coordinator for the Arts Council, said people should expect many of the same vendors this year.