Boothbay Civic Association pulled off a scaled down version of the annual Fourth of July on the Common, and attendance, despite COVID-19, was strong.

Vicki Huskins’ crafters and artisans began their annual three-day fair on Friday, July 3. Huskins said although attendance seemed slow, it was steady and people were buying. What were they buying? Art, pottery, fruit-flavored honey, silver jewelry, agate wind chimes, stools, hand-painted glassware and buoy bird feeders were in the excellent variety among 10 vendors: Crafter’s Cabin/Kathy Dutton, Woodworker’s Village/Brian Warren of Oxford, White Rabbit Emporium/Steve Rabasco, Stonehedge Pottery/Ann Hedgcock, Fresh Harvest In A Jar/Julia McCraken, Karrottop Silver/Terry Strickland, It’s Not Honey/John Olsen, Crafty Scotts/Stanlene and Robert Scott, Nicole’s Art Room/Nicole Nappi, and painted glassware-Patron bottles/Vicki Huskins.

Huskins said later, “All of the vendors were very pleased and want to come back for more shows. Even Sunday wasn’t all that bad. People weren’t gardening,  mowing lawns or boating, but they’ll grab an umbrella and shop. It’s something I’ve learned after 26 years!”

The holiday drew larger crowds who perused the vendor offerings and had a bit of lunch including hamburgers and sausage grilled up. CC Snack Co. offered fudge, kettle corn, lemonade (regular, strawberry and blueberry) and iced coffee as thirst quenchers. Shannon’s Unshelled was there serving lobster roll lunches, chowder, or both.

BCA member Rosemary Bourette said the proceeds from the sale of grilled food were being donated to BCA. “The attendance has been great, even with the coronavirus situation. We’re very pleased with the turnout.”

The usual performances by local bands were a no-go. The gazebo, usually the stage, is still under construction. But as the gallery shows, there was huge progress the day before the event.

The next weekend craft fair on the Common is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25 and 26.