Hurley Farms will be hopping with activity this weekend, as the 10th annual Made in Ohio Craft Show featuring more than 50 vendors returns to the farm market, located just north of Huntsville, at 9249 State Route 117.
LeaDel Hurley, who runs the farm alongside her husband, Russ, and son Dan Hurley and daughter-in-law Kristin, said the craft festival has grown from about 15 vendors in its first year to its current set up, with the 50-plus vendors sprawling out under two barns and under their own pop-up tents outside.
The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Admission and parking are free.
“The craft show has been a real success and a lot of fun; it’s been neat to see it really take off. The customers really enjoy themselves each year and are able to find lots of specialty items and gifts to suit their own personal tastes,” LeaDel said this week.
“We really work hard to have quality crafters in our show, including many local vendors and some from locations around Ohio, including vendors traveling from Columbus, Marion and Findlay.”
The festival will feature a wide selection of vendors selling items from candles to vintage and repurposed furniture, sweet treats, pottery, soy candles, jewelry, handmade soaps and lotion, wood crafts, outdoor flags, boutique clothing, plants, flowers and more.
Hungry shoppers can grab a tasty bite to eat as well at a a variety of food trucks that will be site, including Freyhof Funnel Cakes; Flappers, Fins & Fries; Mom Andrasik’s; Bueger Concessions; Miller’s Kettle Corn; Dudley’s Coffee & Donuts; The Main Squeeze. Hurley Farms’ own deli will be open for business as well, selling its pulled pork, hot sub sandwiches and more.
In addition to all of the unique craft items available for sale, Hurley Farms’ market will feature the quality produce its well-known for, including sweet corn, Georgia peaches and Indiana cantaloupe that are in season and particularly popular with customers right now, LeaDel said.
The farm has established quite the legacy and has made its mark in the agricultural community and on local tourism as well. Years ago, LeaDel’s parents owned and ran a farm market, Wickerham Produce, at the same location for approximately 35 years. They later retired that business.
Then about 27 years ago, LeaDel and Russ’ youngest son, Dan, began growing and selling sweet corn as a teenager. He sold the corn to his friends and neighbors for spending money when he started driving, his mother recounted.
“He was very successful at selling his sweet corn out of his pickup bed in a gas station parking lot,” LeaDel said. “After a couple years of doing that, he asked if he could sell it out of his grandparents’ barn where they had Wickerham Produce. We agreed and now here we are, 27 years later.”
Now Dan and his wife Kristin along with their three children; and LeaDel and Russ and several employees all work together at what is now known as Hurley Farms.
“While it’s a lot of hard work, running the market and putting on events like the craft show, it is enjoyable for us. We’ve gotten to know so many people in the community and we enjoy catering to the things that they’d like to see here,” LeaDel said.
“Friends have become our customers, and it’s been fun to see the other side in that customers become our friends as well.”
