Coupeville Festival was record breaking

"Coupeville's streets filled with food, vendors and several thousand people as the town hosted its 37th Annual Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival over the weekend.While revenues were still being tallied early this week, festival president Benye Weber called it a record-breaking festival.The weather was wonderful, the crowds were big, the volunteers worked very hard, Weber said. It went beautifully.More than 200 of the Pacific Northwest's finest arts and crafts vendors showcased leather goods, pottery, handcrafted furniture, jewelry and more. There was quite a demand for space (by vendors), festival spokeswoman Sandra Plush said. In fact, we had to turn people away.Glass blowing, portrait drawing, a potter's wheel, blacksmithing, weaving, wood carving and spinning demonstrations were displayed by the artists in action, and children's activities and live entertainment topped off the fun. Plush said the event attracts people from all over Washington, and many of them are first-time visitors to the town. They may not spend a lot of time when they first come, but they'll be back, she said. It's great for the town of Coupeville.Besides celebrating Northwest artists and craftsmen and contributing to Coupeville's tourism income, the festival brings in money for charitable causes. Plush said the festival usually pulls in profits of about $40,000. Some of it is set aside for the next year's festival, but the rest is given out to arts or educational causes in Island County. Last year, about $26,000 from the festival's proceeds made its way to non-profit arts and cultural groups in Coupeville and Island County. The town's Recreational Hall, the Coupeville Arts Center and the Island County Historical Society have all received grants in the past. "

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