Rotary Club Craft Fair Is Back in Town

If you are looking for unique and creative items, the Syosset-Woodbury Rotary Club Craft and Gift Fair is the place to be.

The fair started Saturday at the Syosset Long Island Rail Road station and will continue Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year's fair showcases a huge array of imaginative vendors like John Latuga, owner of Fun Animal Gifts. His tent offers pet treats, ranging from Bark-B-Que dog treats to Christmas ornaments.

"I have a cocker spaniel and poodle," he said. "They are my consultants. I offer tasty dog treats that dogs love," he said.

With students from the iSchool of Music and Art jamming rock 'n' roll music in the background, patrons strolled from tent to tent perusing the many items on display. Lisa Walker of Syosset attended the fair searching for an item at a great price.

"This fair is great because I always find something that I love," she said. "Last time I was here, I bought a nice necklace. I love the craft fairs."

Showcasing more than 30 vendors, the items shown at the fair offers something for everyone, from handbags to Silly Bandz, from spiritual jewelry to Asian watercolor prints.

"It's a nice event for the community," said Maria Anderson, chairperson of the Syosset-Woodbury Rotary Club. "The Rotary Club has these fairs to bring the community together and raise money for charities like the Gift of Life and the Harvest House. We just recently sent a tent to Haiti; it houses a family of 10 people. The Rotary Club is about service above self."

In addition to helping host the event, Anderson and her husband Ed were selling rubber ducks. She is the owner of Maria's Gift Shop, and consumers were in for a delight at their tent as Ed told duck jokes. He was more than happy to put a smile on everyone's face by reciting these words in quick repetition: "A buck a duck and every duck is filled with luck. If you need more luck, you get 12 ducks–a bill."

The annual fair is held twice a year, in May and August. Admission and parking are free.