For 44 years, the Tasmanian Craft Fair has woven itself into the cultural and economic fabric of the Meander Valley. Now, with new government backing, fresh attractions and a tech-savvy approach, organisers hope this year’s fair will offer a richer, more immersive experience for visitors and signal a new chapter in its evolution.
“We’re trying a few new things this year,” says Michael Plunkett, director of the Tasmania Craft Fair (TCF) and a member of the Rotary Club of Deloraine, which has run the event since its inception. “We’ve got a couple of new venues. We’ve got a new park and ride station for the buses to try and alleviate the parking problems we had last year. We’ve got some new entertainment options.”
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Among the headline acts is Brad Blaze, a speed caricature artist who draws portraits in under a minute, sometimes upside down. He will perform on Saturday and Sunday. Also on offer is a live sand sculpting experience from ‘Sand in Your Eyes,’ with public workshops each afternoon and new sculptures completed in the morning.
While many workshops will be free and open to all, a new initiative called Mini Makers will offer ticketed creative sessions for children at $15 per head, providing materials and take-home projects.
Entertainment is only part of the fair’s transformation. This year’s setup includes a more curated layout across four venues, each themed by craft category, from fine arts to garden sculptures to body care products. A new chill area at the community complex will feature cider and beer from local producers, designed as a relaxed retreat for visitors.
“We are theming the buildings rather than mixing everything up. If you want to go and look at a particular thing, you can,” Plunkett says. “There is a risk that people will target one area and won’t look at the rest, but we don’t think that’ll be the case.”
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A newly developed mobile app will help visitors navigate the fair, providing venue maps, exhibitor listings, bus stop information and ticket purchasing options.
The fair will run over three days again, from Friday, 31 October to Sunday, 2 November. This model was trialled last year to success. “We got a little bit smashed on the Friday with the number of people who came, but we feel that people will come on the Friday and then enjoy the long weekend this year,” Plunkett says.
An adult ticket purchased online or at the local visitor centre costs $20, increasing to $25 at the gate on the day of the event. All tickets include re-entry over the three days, and early buyers will be entered into a draw to win a caricature by Blaze.
With roughly 240 exhibitors booked and a strategic target of 30,000 visitors by 2030, this year’s fair is fully subscribed for stallholders. “We are full. That’s probably a few more than last year,” Plunkett says.
Transportation options have also been improved. Kinetic buses will offer park-and-ride services within Deloraine, and a long-distance bus service from Launceston and possibly Devonport will bring visitors directly to the event. “Come out, enjoy yourself without having to worry about parking the car,” Plunkett says.
Beyond its economic footprint, which is estimated at $2.5m annually for the region, the fair’s real value lies in its community reach. Proceeds support dozens of local organisations, including schools, churches and service clubs. Over the decades, Rotary has channelled about $3.5m into community projects, from riverbank restoration and footbridges to supporting the Giant Steps School.
Tickets for the Tasmanian Craft Fair are available online and at the Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre. Buying early, Plunkett says, is both cheaper and wiser: “Get cracking.”
