ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOWS BOOST TO LOCAL TOURISM

This weekend's arts and crafts shows offer more than good prices on creative holiday gifts. The shows are among the largest tourism draws of the season. We welcome these exhibitors and bargain hunters to town.

The Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts "Christmas at the Show Me Center" and the River Valley Arts and Crafts Expo each will attract about 10,000 to 12,000 people Saturday and Sunday. Many of those visitors travel to Cape Girardeau from throughout the region. The exhibitors themselves hail from a dozen states. These visitors eat at local restaurants, stay at motels and shop at our stores.

Both craft fairs also report good response from the exhibitors, with many repeat artists and craftsmen year after year. Both shows have waiting lists for exhibitors.

This 22nd arts council show will draw 260 exhibitors. Proceeds will be used to match Missouri Arts Council dollars for programs in schools, nursing homes and throughout the region. It represents the biggest money-making event of the year for the arts council, generating about 25 percent of the annual budget.

In its 15th year, the River Valley Crafts Expo overflows to both the Arena Building and Holiday Inn Convention Center. Exhibitors will display their wares on 400 tables. The non-profit organization pours its proceeds back into building rentals, advertising and the like.

These craft fairs pump thousands of dollars into the local economy. It's a welcome addition to the start of this busy holiday shopping season.