The Lithia Artisans Christmas Faire this Thanksgiving Weekend at the Historic Ashland Armory

The 19th Annual Lithia Artisans Christmas Faire is happening this upcoming Thanksgiving Weekend.at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak Street. Doors open at 10:00am on Friday, November 29 and the event runs through Sunday, December 1.

Over fifty local and regional artisans will be selling their handcrafted wares at this annual event. Live music plays all weekend, food and coffee are available on site, and admission to this family friendly event is FREE!

Christmas Faire Hours
Friday, November 29 ~ 10am-7pm
Saturday, November 30 ~ 10am-7pm
Sunday, December 1 ~ 11am-4pm

The members of the market have been as busy as Santa’s elves, tinkering away in their workshops creating the beautiful items you will find on display. Many of these artisans set aside their best work to showcase at this event. In the short, three week window between the close of the outdoor market and this holiday event the artisans have been diligently working on inventory. This is a magical show with amazing gifts items and one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

Timed to run in conjunction with Ashland’s Festival of Light, the show is open until 7:00pm on Friday night to allow festival goers the chance to swing by the event before or after the parade. Christmas Faire is a wonderful place to meet up with family and friends and discover what your favorite artisans have been creating. Gathering together at this event is something that many people tell me has become part of their family Thanksgiving tradition. Art, craft, live music, and community.

The Lithia Artisans Market is honored to have so many great new artists join our ranks this past season. Two new fine artists, Lori Agnew and Aaron Taylor, will have their art on display up on the stage along with veteran photographer Pat Moore. Face-painter Micah Kilimann is also new this year; she and our new glass straw makers will also be up on the stage. Silver and gold metal-smith Carrie Armstrong is also showing in her first Christmas Faire. These new members are exceptional artists and we hope you all get the chance to meet and welcome them to the show.

When you look at the collective work of this cooperative of artisans you are looking at decades of time spent fine-tuning skill sets, techniques, and creative concepts. Many of the artisans showing at this event are considered masters of their craft. One such artist is glass bead maker Leah Fairbanks.

Leah teaches her art-form throughout the world. She has been working with glass most of her adult life, starting with stained glass and eventually moving to lamp-worked glass. Her attention to detail is without rival. Her glass strawberries are so realistic you wanna take a bite. There are always people checking out Leah’s creations because the colors, textures, and details are captivating. You are naturally drawn to her work.

This event showcases many art-forms you can wear, designer clothing, painted silk, handwoven wool shawls, and other adornment. You will discover all kinds of handcrafted jewelry, fabricated silver and gold settings, hand-cut stones, and fine wire work. From the bold to the delicate, you will find discover many one-of-a-kind gift items this weekend at the faire. Did I mention leather boots made by hand? Yup, we got that covered.

There is something for everyone at the Christmas Faire including woodwork, leather belts, drums, fine art, photography, body care products and much more. You owe it to yourself to come by and check out this downtown Ashland holiday tradition. Remember, when we spend money locally it enriches our own local economy. Supporting local small businesses makes a huge difference!