The 28th annual Treasure Coast Pilot Club’s Autumn in the Park juried arts and crafts show once again drew large crowds of people eager to get a jump on some holiday shopping with visits to the roughly 100 participating vendors.
“There are a lot of handcrafted, fascinating things,” said Pete Fazio who attends every year with wife Nancy. “People put a lot of effort into everything they sell here.”
Pilot Club organizers estimated 10,000 visitors would attend the weekend-long fundraiser, which raises money for five scholarships and other charitable gifts. One scholarship is specifically designated for women wanting to return to the work place, while others help graduating high school students.
“We also help fund the memory care bracelets for the Alzheimer & Parkinson Organization,” said Barbara Peltier, club treasurer. The $300 bracelets hold a GPS tracker to help the Sheriff’s Department find seniors and children with autism if they wander off.
“We also help the community by giving to the homeless, Cookies for the Troops, Special Equestrians and others. We have a lot of agencies that come to us with requests and we do what we can,” said event chair Tammy Vock.
The idea for the successful show as a fundraiser is credited to Diane Kepley and new features have been added occasionally, including this year’s activity area for kids and a beer and wine garden for adults.
Patsy Voge and Ellie Dunlap said they came to enjoy the sunny day while browsing the selection of jewelry, plants, crafts, pottery and fine art by artists such as Roy McLendon Jr., son of Highwayman Roy McLendon Sr.
“I love to see local artists and bought a couple of things already for my grandkids in Michigan,” said Dunlap. “I like things with a history and when you give them something from Florida it adds a bit more interest.”
Artist Terri Finethy adds plenty of history to her reincarnated pieces, using bits of old jewelry, silver and found items to make beautiful hanging art collages.
“Everything is collected and recycled,” said Finethy, who created Kilted Mermaid’s eclectic chandeliers. “This piece is made from an old metal roof tin from an old Southern mansion, the Martin House in Helen, GA, with some turquoise. I also create pieces from items people bring me that they have inherited and want to keep as a memory.”
