THUNDER BAY – City residents flocked to the north core on April 24 to attend the 2022 Spring Craft Revival. and check out the work of roughly 180 local artisans.
“Lots of hustle and bustle on the streets today in the downtown Waterfront district. We have our 13th craft revival happening right now, our spring events. We do two events every year, spring and winter and it’s the first event that actually feels a bit normal, just being able to see people again, seeing people’s faces,” said Maelyn Hurley, founder of Craft Revival and owner of Goods & Co.
“It’s nice that the weather held up for us as well. Lots of people walking around and we have about 180 artisans at about 16 locations and live music at many venues too.”
Events like these are crucial for small local businesses to get exposure and let the community know about what they make.
“It’s sort of our chance to show what we have, there’s a lot of amazing artists and builders in the community, so it’s our chance to show people in the city what we have to offer here,” said Lorre Walsh, owner, Sibley Stone Works.
The Spring Craft Revival also gives local performers and musicians a great platform to bring their talents to the people of Thunder Bay.
“There are so many professional and talented people in Thunder Bay that you just don’t notice without events like this and in Thunder Bay, word seems to travel by mouth a lot,” said Ivan Love, drag performer.
“So without these events, I don’t know, everybody would still be in their basements doing their thing and we would not be aware of all these treasures we have in this area.”
Another local drag performer, Mz. Molly Poppinz, says that the amount of talented people coming out to show what they have is something truly special to see.
“I think the only positive thing that’s come from the pandemic is that there were so many of us literally trapped at home and there were so many people who have had a passion for something bubbling inside of them for a really long time but there was never the right time to realize their passion,” said Poppinz.
“So now we have this giant frenzy of craftspeople who are coming out of the woodwork, pardon the pun, but literally pouring out of the woodwork to show their stuff off and it’s so nice to not only see our community come back but to come back with so much power and to thrive as beautifully as it has is really heartwarming.”
