CALLICOON, NY — The holiday season moves quickly from Thanksgiving to Christmas, from Christmas to the New Year.

The Delaware Youth Center (DYC) makes that transition easier with its holiday craft fair.

The craft fair takes place on November 25, the day after Thanksgiving, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the DYC, 8 Creamery Road, Callicoon. Over 30 local vendors will attend the fair selling crafts and artisan goods.

This year marks the fair’s triumphant return following two years off for COVID-19, according to DYC board member Alex Gardner.

It’s an event that puts the community first. While the DYC runs the craft fair, it does so as a community event, not a fundraiser; vendors only have to pay a nominal fee for their tables.

This year’s craft fair is also special for another reason: the event will be catered by the former owners of Lorenzo’s Bistro, a restaurant that used to be in Jeffersonville.

The owners did a lot to help out the community during the pandemic, said Gardner; “During the pandemic, they served tons and tons of meals to people who were struggling during the shutdown.” Having them at the craft fair gives visitors a chance to eat something other than Thanksgiving leftovers on the day.

Community members and vendors alike are excited for the return of the craft fair, said Gardner. It’s a break from the big-box commercialism that so often surrounds the holiday season.

“There’s so much crass commercialism on that day, it’s nice to stay home and stay local and buy something from people you’ve known for decades.”