Cathy Jones, right, and Susie Stewart browse vendor booths at Saturday's Mars Softball Craft Show fundraiser at Mars Area Middle School. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 04/09/22

MARS — Myriad artisans showcased their wares as the 13th spring Mars Craft Show returned for the first time in two years.

The craft show, which was held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mars Area Middle School, brought more than 60 vendors to benefit the district’s girls’ softball teams.

Michele Goodworth, Mars varsity softball coach and craft show organizer, said the turnout was solid, particularly as the event returned.

“I think it’s a great start rebuilding the craft show after not having it for two years,” Goodworth said.

Not only did residents and others come to browse the offerings they weren’t disappointed, assistant softball coach Courtney Gallagher said, .

“I didn’t see a lot of people walk out empty-handed,” Gallagher said.

Art vendors from the region showcase their crafts at Saturday's Mars Softball Craft Show at Mars Area Middle School. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 04/09/22

The more than five dozen artisans who offered items for sale had vastly different wares. In addition to the typical displays of handmade jewelry and various types of food, one vendor sold maple syrup and maple syrup-flavored cotton candy; another sold pens he made on a lathe, each different from the last; and a blind woman from Monroeville sold wind chimes.

Pete Standish, of Mars, who was stationed in the gymnasium, sold his own different type of craft: doors painted with acrylic automotive paint.

Standish stood beside a number of differently painted entryways, ranging from standard colors and textured paint to detailed designs. He said he’s been painting cars since high school, and once while he was recovering from a back injury opted to paint his door using automotive paint.

After painting his own, Standish said, his neighbors asked for his services and “it escalated into this.”

While the event supported the Mars softball team and many vendors are from southern Butler County, those who opted to shop weren’t solely from the area.

Andrea Hood, of Pittsburgh, said she typically attended the event pre-COVID each year, typically with her daughter. With the craft show back on following a two-year hiatus, she knew it was time to come again.

As with each year, she said, there were some familiar faces but also some new vendors offering crafts different than what she’d seen before.

“That’s the cool thing about it, how people come up with these creative things,” Hood said. “I think it’s amazing.”