Jacquelyn Giambalvo
Staff Writer
The 35th annual Hillside Farms Craft Fair in Norco welcomed community vendors to kick off the holiday season with various booths of handmade holiday crafts and food.
Around a dozen vendors sold unique, hand crafted items for home, work and everyday use. Vendors also sold homemade food items such as cookies, brownies and fudge.
Carmen Robby, owner of 2 Ducks and a Penguin, crafted and sold Christmas home décor just in time for the holiday season.
“When I first started I did it out of necessity because I needed to make extra money, and after a while it was relaxing for me, I thought it was a lot of fun,” Robby said.
She has been attending various craft fairs for years but this is her first time attending the Hillside Farms Craft fair.
The fair only allows 100% handmade items, and vendors have to submit photos of the process of how the items are made as proof.
Alice Gray, owner of Littlea’s Creations also sold holiday crafts such as ornaments, mugs and household holiday decorations.
“I have been crafting for over 20 years. I started out making jewelry and then I started different crafts on my own with the help of Youtube and Etsy and put my own little twist on it. It is a lot of fun,” Gray said.
Gray makes miniature Christmas trees made out of pinecones she finds hikes with the help of her daughter whenever she goes out on
“It keeps me busy since I have been retired for 10 years,” Gray said.
Gray has been at this Hillside Farms Craft Fair for three years and is hosting a craft fair herself in Riverside this month with over 40 vendors attending.
Bailey Shaw, Norco resident, came with family and friends to get an early start on their holiday shopping.
“I just moved to this area and I have never gone to anything around this area until this weekend. I have some family visiting from Thanksgiving and I thought this would be a fun activity to do with everyone,” Shaw said.
She said she picked up some Christmas gifts for her daughter and Christmas decorations for her house.
“Everyone here is so friendly and it’s a great way to spend the day,” Shaw said.
The fair allows for people to start their holiday shopping early while shopping for unique and handmade holiday gifts.
David Flores, Norco resident, came to get his mother a handcrafted gift for Christmas.
“I have been to this fair before because I like to get my family unique gifts that you can’t find in a store. I just bought my mom some jewelry and some Christmas home decorations,” Flores said.
The Hillside Farms Craft Fair will open again with more creative vendors this Saturday and Sunday.
For more information visit hillsidefarmnorco.com.
Jacquelyn Giambalvo can be reached at jacquelyn.giambalvo@laverne.edu.
