DECATUR -- The 65th Annual Decatur Barbecue saw the highest number of craft booths in recent years. Some of the vendors returned for another year, but many were new. Returning vendors cited friendly people and the size of the celebration as the reason for their return.
Sherry Catt of Kitty Catt's Crafts, returned to the Barbecue for the fourth consecutive year to sell homemade jewelry. She attended this year's celebration wearing a shirt from the 62nd Decatur Barbecue. Catt said one reason she returned was for the social interaction.
"Pretty much everybody stops and talks to you," Catt said. "The people are so nice. You get better business in one day than some multi-day events."
Joey Yoder also returned to the Barbecue because of the business. For a second consecutive year, Yoder ran a kettle corn stand to raise money for Pleasant Valley schools. Many organizations, including the Decatur cheer team, local churches and charities, set up booths for fundraising at the Barbecue. Yoder said he returned because "it is local."
"I liked the support from the community," Yoder said. "The sales are good and the people who manage the vendors have a good personality and are very concerned about repeat vendors."
Yoder sets up his non-profit booth at other events in the area but said that the Barbecue is different because of its simple set-up and lack of fees.
Crafts and non-profit vendors do not have to pay a fee to set up at the Barbecue. That is one reason why Sandy Bradley of Sandy's Shiny Stuff decided to attend the Barbecue for the first time. Bradley had set up her jewelry booth for other events like Pickin' on 59, local festivals and flea markets, but she liked that the Decatur Barbecue "had a simple process and did not charge" her to set up a crafts booth. Bradley also preferred the atmosphere of the Barbecue.
"It is smaller and not so crazy," said Bradley.
Amber Coker was another first-time vendor at the Barbecue. Coker set up a booth for "Damsel in Defense," which sells items for self-defense and provides training on how to use them. Like Bradley, she too enjoyed the atmosphere.
"I have been meeting lots of people and exchanging information," said Coker.
Coker said her booth was "successful" because of her social interaction and the potential of helping people through her booth. She set up a booth at the Barbecue because a member of the Chamber of Commerce reached out to her.
Jean Johnson was the one that reached out to Coker. Johnson is a member of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce and works to expand the number of craft vendors. The high turnout of craft vendors was wonderful to Johnson.
"I can't recall a moment in which we have had 20 or so craft vendors," said Johnson.
Johnson believes that craft vendors have become a major component to the Barbecue since they were added in the 1970s.
"They play an important role because the more crafts you have, the more people you will draw," said Johnson, who hopes to see many of this year's vendors return.
When asked if they would return for next year's celebration, most craft vendors said they hope to.
General News on 08/15/2018