Quail Hollow Events is again partnering with the Dutchess Community College Foundation to continue the decades-long tradition of the Dutchess Community College Holiday Craft Fair. For more information, see below.
The Dutchess Community College Foundation Holiday Craft Fair, which celebrated its semicentennial anniversary in 2022, offers Hudson Valley locals and visitors the opportunity to shop small (and support handmade!) Thanksgiving weekend. The foundation is now partnering with Quail Hollow Events in the promotion and organization of the decades-old fair.
Boasting just over 100 artists, the fair has become a holiday shopping tradition for many in the region, and one that stands in stark opposition to the Black Friday culture propagated by Big Box Stores. Now entering its 52nd year, the fair presents an alternative to the frenzied buying experience that Black Friday consumers experience. This is not a festival for imported or mass-produced products; everything onsite is handmade, with the artist or maker in attendance. Like Quail Hollow’s other events, this one is juried, with exhibitors thoughtfully selected to ensure a balanced assortment of handmade art, crafts, and goodies that vary widely in terms of style and taste.
Visitors will find holiday favorites, like fresh, locally sourced wreaths, delicate holiday ornaments, and tasty treats, but these seasonal staples are part of a broader sea of handcrafted pieces. The event will showcase a bevy of skilled artists and makers in over 10 media categories. Rows of carefully curated booths will display something for every taste – and for everyone on your gift list – from fine art and photography, to ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, fiber (both wearable and decorative), specialty foods, and small-batch cosmetic products like candles and soaps. Find heirloom-quality wall art and ceramics, display-worthy cutting boards, wearable art like sweater-scarves, wraps and cold weather necessities, and fine jewelry (ranging from classic to quirky to modern).
Quail Hollow values the interaction between visitor and maker and hopes to foster this relationship within the halls of Dutchess Community College for decades to come. Says director Ola Rubinstein, “The real center and heart of these festivals is the connections that are made. The visitor experience involves much more than holiday shopping. Through engaging with the artist, visitors will learn about the artistic process and the history of the item that they are observing or purchasing.”
The DCCF Holiday Craft Fair will take place at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, in Falcon and Drumlin Halls, the weekend following Thanksgiving. The event is rain or shine, and shuttles transport shoppers between the two event halls.
IMPORTANT DATES
Application Deadline: June 15th, 2025
Notification for applications: August 1st, 2025
SHOW DATES
November 29th and November 30th, 2025
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR EXHIBITING ARTISTS
All artists who hand craft their own items are welcome to apply. No commercial agents, dealers or manufactures may enter. All work must be original and hand crafted by the artist themselves. If an artist is found reselling items they may be asked to leave and will not be accepted the following year.
Artists or an assistant (who must be part of the creative process) agree to be present during all show hours throughout the weekend. Booths are to be set up for inspection in final display condition by 9:00 am on both days of the show. Individuals representing a craftsperson or craftspeople other than themselves are not eligible to participate. Booth sharing is not permitted.
If the work is supported by manufactured items (such as a picture frame), the manufactured item may not be the same as the craft, may not be sold separately, and may not account for more than 25% of the selling price of the item sold.
Artists that require electricity are limited to 300 watts for the use of lighting their display only. The following items are prohibited: space heaters, televisions, electric tools, lighting requiring more than 300 watts and any other items that will exceed the 300-watt limit.
We reserve the right to demand removal of items determined to be in violation of the above guidelines. While it may be impossible for us to know whether all items have actually been crafted by the exhibitor, crafters working in the same media may bring concerns of this kind to our attention. If such a situation arises, we will ask both craftspeople to join the coordinator for a quiet professional discussion regarding the alleged impropriety in the hope of reaching a mutually satisfactory solution. If this is not possible and the problem is identified by more than one craftsperson, the exhibitor in question may be asked to leave (with no refund) and will not be invited to show in the future.
JURY PHOTOGRAPHS
Upload a total of five photographs with your application: four of individual pieces and one of your booth display as it is exhibited. If you have trouble uploading photos, you may email them to ola@quailhollow.com. If your website contains a gallery featuring images representative of what you will be selling at this show, you may write that under “image descriptions” and direct us to the gallery on your website in lieu of uploading images.
BOOTHS
Booths are 10’ x 10’ in both Falcon and Drumlin Hall. Aisles are to remain clear per the Fire Marshall. All displays are REQUIRED to have 3 walls — with the exception of corner booths which must have 2 walls — and are expected to be attractive, with fabrics pressed and tablecloths to the floor, paint touched up, items priced and everything arranged in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Make sure that the back and sides of your booth that face your neighbor are clean and without ragged edges. Tax ID must be displayed. A backdrop or other signage displaying your business name is requested.
BOOTH FEES
Falcon Hall 10 x 10 booth: $200
Falcon Hall 10 x 10 corner booth: $250
Falcon Hall 20 x 10 double booth space: $400
Falcon Hall 20 x 10 double booth space (Corner): $450
Drumlin Hall 10 x 10 booth: $200
Drumlin Hall 10 x 10 corner booth: $250
Drumlin Hall 20 x 10 double booth space: $400
Drumlin Hall 20 x 10 double booth space (Corner): $450
ELECTRICITY/TABLES/CHAIRS
Booths will be provided these items based on prior request via application form. Artists that require electricity are limited to 300 watts for the use of lighting their display only. The following items are prohibited: space heaters, televisions, electric tools, lighting requiring more than 300 watts and any other items that will exceed the 300 watt limit. Extension cords will not be provided so it is recommended that you bring your own.
CHECK-IN
Please check-in upon arrival at the check-in table, one will be located in each building.
At that time you will be presented with a registration packet and your ID badges. Your ID badges must be worn at all times during the show so that you can be easily identified and allowed to enter and exit as needed.
Note: Booth assignments are pre-assigned, but may not be posted until the week of the event. We will do our best to fulfill booth requests, but may change repeat exhibitor locations to give the fair a fresh look each year.
SET-UP
This will take place on Friday night, November 29th, from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm and/or Saturday November 30th from 8:00 am – 9:00 am. All booths are to be ready by 9:00 am both days. Hand trucks and dollies will not be available so you are encouraged to bring your own. Keep in mind that some doorways accommodate a maximum width of 36”.
Drumlin Exhibitors
Please enter from Cottage Road (north end of campus) into Lot D, park and enter Drumlin (north entrance) to check-in, then pull up along the circle to unload quickly and then park in Lot D again. Note: Clearance beneath the track lighting without bulbs is 9.5’.
Falcon Exhibitors
Please enter from Pendell Road (south end of campus) into Lot A, park and enter Falcon Hall (south entrance) to check in, then pull up along the building to unload quickly and then park in Lot A again.
PARKING
Artist are required to park in the back of Falcon Hall if you are exhibiting in Falcon or in Lot D if you are exhibiting in Drumlin. Please keep the best parking available so customers will not get discouraged and leave without coming in.
RAFFLE
A traditional and popular part of the Crafts Fair has been a drawing featuring a donated item from each of our exhibitors. Each paid admission to the Fair receives one ticket to “spend,” and additional ones are available for a suggested donation, $1.00 each or 15/$5.00; each ticket is entered into a drawing for a specific item of the attendees’ choosing. These items will be on display in Drumlin and Falcon Halls. Winners will be drawn on a rolling basis during the two days of the show and need not be present to win.
HOURS
The advertised hours are 10:00 am – 4:00 pm both days. Please have your booth completely ready by 9:00 am so that a final check can be done. The doors will close at 4:00 pm but shoppers will have until 4:30 pm to complete their purchases. Please do not begin to close your booth until then.
BREAKDOWN
Please do not pull vehicles up to the circle until you have everything ready to load up.
CASH
All exhibitors are responsible for their own cash and for bringing enough change/charge slips and whatever else they need. Exhibitors are required to have a tax number displayed in the booth and collect sales tax of 8.125%.
INSURANCE
You are encouraged to carry your own liability insurance.
SECURITY
There is security throughout the weekend. If you have items that you do not wish to leave, make arrangements to take them with you. The College does its very best to maintain security, but extra precautions are always advisable.
SMOKING
Dutchess Community College became a tobacco-free campus beginning May 31, 2016. There is absolutely NO SMOKING allowed inside or outside any of the College buildings. The policy will prohibit the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipes, vaping, snuff, dip and all related products on college property.
CONTACT and MAILING INFORMATION
Ola Rubinstein: 845-516-4342, ola@quailhollow.com
Quail Hollow Events
318 Ackert Hook Road
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
APPLICATION FEE
An application fee of $20 is required with every application. Application fees are non-refundable. Exhibitors may pay the fee via PayPal (link below and in application) or by sending a check to:
Quail Hollow Events, 318 Ackert Hook Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.