A History of Lee's Summit's Original Craft Show

December 1973: Village Fair Clubhouse - 12 Crafters
1974-75: Harris Community Center
1976 - Present: John Knox Village Pavilion

In December of 1973, Craft Patch was born. My sister, Dona, along with a few other friends, held the first show in Lee’s Summit’s Village Fair sub-division clubhouse. The show outgrew that location and moved to the Community Center at Harris Park in Lee’s Summit for two years. Once again, the show became rather popular in its location and had to look for a new home. John Knox Village Pavilion was new to the rapidly growing city of Lee’s Summit, so in December of 1976 Craft Patch moved to its present location, the John Knox Village Pavilion. We now have over 125 booths and a waiting list of potential crafters.

The show dates have remained unchanged throughout the years, always the first Friday & Saturday after Thanksgiving weekend. The show can be as early as November 30th or as late as December 6th.

My sister Dona ran the show from 1973 until she retired in 1999. Wanting to keep the show in the family, I took over and plan on running the show for many years to come. My grown children have already agreed to take my place when the time comes for me to let go of the reigns. Amazing what can happen just because my sister wanted to earn a little extra Christmas money.