Just 10 minutes away in the town of Pitman, the last day of summer was marked with an air of excitement, as craftspeople set up shop on the streets around Ballard Park for the annual Pitman Craft Show. These vendors were from across South Jersey and catered to a wide variety of interests (and price ranges). From kitsch to crafty, this event had it all. 

For some shop owners, this event is their first time selling their wares in person. Jessica Norberg from NekoNorb Craft Co., who believes crafting is the “ultimate form of self-care,” sells hand-dyed yarn for knitters and crocheters. Her skeins hang in neat, color-coded rows behind her. Her favorite part about coming to the craft show is “help[ing] people pick out yarn for their projects, and work on colorways that pair well together for their projects.” 

This was the first time Norberg prepared for an event like this one. 

“Go big or go home for your first time, right?” Norberg said.

Hundreds of people crowded these three blocks, lining up to sample a broad range of merchandise; from handcrafted wreaths to beaded jewelry, soaps, candles, and even wooden whirligigs. 

The traditional shops along Pitman Avenue, South Broadway, and Ballard Avenue, were not exempt from the benefits of Saturday’s influx of shoppers. Aidan Hausmann from Words Matter bookstore, a brick-and-mortar at 52 S Broadway Ave, believes the Pitman Craft Show to be their best day of the year.

“[The craft show] drives a lot of business into town,” said Hausmann.

The store itself was as abuzz as the streets, with a pop-up shop run by local artisan Nicholas L. Manogue inside. 

The crowds this Saturday were no coincidence either. On the busy nature of the event, one shop owner remarked that business picks up the minute the first leaf falls. The Pitman Craft Show is perfectly situated on the eve of the holiday season, and shop owners seem as aware of this as shoppers themselves, with entire tents dedicated to seasonal goods.

Most vendors agree the Pitman Craft Show is the place to be. One shop owner, Ross Bell from Deerfield NJ’s Timber Toyworks, describes the Pitman Craft Show as “very organized.” Surrounded by beautiful wooden toys.

“They really have their stuff together when it comes to setting up this whole event,” said Ross.

And it shows. Across the way from his tent, there were swaths of people taking a rest in Ballard Park, sitting on benches or in wooden lawn chairs, eating and having a good time. Food and drink were in ample supply with food trucks, carts, and even tents all offering a taste of their creations, including one impressive cart with a hot dog-shaped front.

Down South Broadway was a “Husband Waiting Room,” complete with mini pool tables, and near this rest area was a carnival-esque wheel for fair-goers to spin to win free items. The variety of places for people to sit, of food to eat, and of non-shopping activities for people to partake in provided a little something different for everyone.

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email features@thewhitonline.com