Bluffton’s busy summer continues on Saturday, May 16, with the 44th annual chamber-sponsored Arts and Crafts show.

This year’s event includes up to 70 booths featuring area crafters plus Bluffton businesses. The show, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will stretch along Main Street from Elm Street to the post office.

Here’s what the day involves:
• Up to 70 booths on Main Street, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Farmers’ market from 8:30 a.m. to noon
• Pony rides at south end of Main, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Local food vendors, during the day
• Entertainment, late morning and early afternoon

Food booths
• Bluffton Senior Citizens Center
• Bluffton Presbyterian Church
• Crawfis Kettle Corn
• Larson Barbecue
• Downtown restaurants

Entertainment
Three musical groups will perform. Show times are late morning to early afternoon.
•  Columbus-based Mariachi Guadalajara band will perform in front of Tu Pueblo Mexican Restaurant. The band has performed several times at the restaurant and this is their first appearance at the craft show.

• Elaine Wehri will perform on accordion in front of Bluffton Senior Citizens Center. She performed this winter at a chamber breakfast and also performs frequently at the senior center.

• Steve Johnson of Ada will perform on bagpipes as he walks around the craft booths. He has performed at a chamber breakfast, at Maple Crest and at last year’s arts and crafts show.

• Jim Boedicker will perform in the morning during the farmers' market in the Citizens National Bank parking lot.

Animals
• Hickle Pony Rides of Mt. Blanchard will offer rides for youth. The rides will be near the post office. Rides will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
• Hard Rock Llama Co., rural Bluffton, will have an exhibit on Vine Street. Mike, Wendy and Mandy Gerken own the llamas.

Sponsors
Several Bluffton chamber members are sponsors of this years' show. They include:
• Bluffton Aeration Services
• Bluffton Hospital
• Bluffton Icon
• Citizens National Bank
• Edward Jones
• DTR Industries
• Family Eye Care Clinic
• Greg's Pharmacy
• Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio
• R.J. Boehr Site Seekers
• Shannon Theatre
• Ten Thousand Villages
• Et Cetera Shop

Limited number of craft booths still available
A limited number of craft booths are still available on a first-come, first-served basis. Booths are $60 each and provide a vendor with a 15-foot wide by 10-foot deep spot on Main Street.

Contact Jerry Burkholder, show director, at 419-722-1521, or [email protected] for a booth registration. Checks should be made out to Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and mailed to Burkholder at 18225 County Road 15, Bluffton.

A vendor registration form is an attachment to this story.