Snow is nowhere in sight, but the 32nd Annual Winter Arts and Crafts Fair is just around the corner.

It’s hosted by the 100 Mile and District Arts Council on Nov. 6-7.

The fair will attract more than 50 artisans in the 100 Mile Junior Secondary School gymnasium. Along with many from the local area, vendors will be coming from the Okanagan and Lower Mainland.

Birgit Bienek, a main organizer, says a couple of things set the 100 Mile fair apart from the rest. Everything displayed at the fair must meet the criteria of being handmade by the vendor and be of high quality.

Each year brings something new and 2009 is no exception, with several first-time participants scheduled to be there. Bienek says to look for new displays of scrap-booking, card-making and other paper arts.

A perfect place to get a jump on Christmas shopping, the fair will offer just about everything, including clothing crafted from a variety of materials, woodworking, jewelry, chocolate, Christmas decorations, treats for pets, glassware, edibles, soaps, photography and pottery.

Bienek says there are so many vendors this year that in addition to the gym, tables will spill out into a couple of hallways in the school.

“There’s more and more interest every year and we want to accommodate them.”

One of the participating crafters is Jeri-Lynne Donn whose small business is called Chocolates Anonymous. She’s been taking her handmade chocolate delights to the Winter Fair for 10 years.

“I have the same customers coming back every year and they’d be upset if they didn’t find me there. People do lots of their Christmas shopping there and it’s generally one of my busiest events.”

Donn makes a variety of products, including truffles, crèmes, chocolate shaped into things like moose and fish and her bestseller, false teeth.

Norma Jones has participated as a vendor for in 15 Winter Fairs with everything from woodwork to her current jewelry and bead and wirework. She says it’s her favourite fair.

“Ours is pretty friendly. It’s varied and the quality is really high. No church bazaar stuff there.”

Fair hours are Friday, 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $2 and it includes an automatic entry into a draw for door prizes donated by each of the participating artisans. Children 12 years and under will be admitted free of charge.

Santa will be there for photos on Friday for sure and possibly on Saturday.