BETHEL — The Bethel Chamber of Commerce will host its 17th annual Crafts and Wares Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Bethel Inn Resort’s conference center.

Jessie Seymour Perkins of the chamber said crafters will set up booths displaying their handmade products.

“This year, we have 35 crafters from the local and surrounding areas,” Perkins said. “I think there’s some crafters from New Hampshire too. There will be free horse-drawn wagon rides from 1 to 3 p.m., starting at the town common, so that should be exciting. This way, people won’t just show up early in the morning and leave. There’ll be stuff for them to do throughout the day,” she said.

The wagon rides will be sponsored by Smokin’ Good BBQ of Bethel.

Among the handmade crafts will be jewelry, wood products, Christmas crafts, home decor, quilts, paintings, hand-knitted items and bath and body products.

Perkins said one of the biggest upsides to the fair is the overall atmosphere.

“It’s a great environment,” she said. “We definitely don’t need any security guards at our event,” she said with a laugh.

“Things move at a nice steady clip and people usually leave with their hands full,” she said. “Everyone loves it. It’s a great way to keep things local.”

For more information, call the chamber at 824-2282.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com