GREENE – Skilled artisans will be gathering this weekend to personally offer their crafts to the mulling crowds, attracting persons with an interest in their trade and hopefully potential buyers.

The labors of hundreds of artisans will be displayed in the Village of Greene this weekend as they kick off their 31st annual Arts and Crafts Festival. The event is scheduled to host over 225 artists and several non-profit organizations.

“This is one of the largest arts and crafts shows in the area, we’re expect to draw between 10 and 20 thousand people,” said Karen Raymond, Executive Director of The Greater Greene Chamber of Commerce.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, both sides of Genesee Street from west of Moore Memorial Library to the bridge spanning the Chenango River will be covered with crafters. The lawns at the library and Sidney Federal Credit Union will hold booths as well. The recently opened Heart Song Gallery, just across the river at the historical train depot will also be sponsoring a farmer’s market and its own displays.

“It’s the big day for dozens of local artists. Every year I look forward to the crowds and the talents of the artist as they put on their displays,” said Gallery Owner and artist Joni Eaton.

“I can’t even imagine the variety of things that’ll be offered, water color, stained glass, jewelry, lawn ornaments, with 200 plus tradesmen it’s impossible to name everything,” said Raymond.

Many of the exhibitors will be local but several travel across the country visiting many different trade shows, and the prices at the event can vary tremendously from a few cents to thousands of dollars.

Apart from the deep selection of crafts at the event, a host of food venues, many non-profit, will sell barbecue chicken, funnel cakes, hot dogs, ice cream and every other fair ground decor.