Deloraine Craft Fair organisers hail ‘outstanding’ event as they sets their sights on their 40th show

About 20,000 people filed through the 39th Deloraine Craft Fair and organisers are already planning on boosting that for next year’s milestone event.

Patrons enjoy a ride around the Deloraine Craft Fair showgrounds. Picture: PATRICK GEE

DELORAINE Craft will keep getting bigger and better if things keep going to way they are say organisers.

More than 100 stallholders, 1600 volunteers and an estimated 20,000 patrons attended the 39th fair, which ended today, after running for four days through wind, rain and sun.

Rotary Club of Deloraine member and marshal of the showground venue John Dare said the standard of stalls at this year’s event was “outstanding”.

“When I look back maybe 10 years, the standard of stalls is way above what it used to be, which is fantastic,” Mr Dare said.

“Stall holders are doing really well.”

Guitar maker Billy Tarrant, right, with guitar technician Trent McCarthy, at his Deloraine Craft Fair stall which won the Premier’s Award for Excellence. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Mr Dare said the fair had invested more money into social media marketing as well as increased signage and advertising through traditional media to reach new markets.

“Our aim over three years is to take the patronage up to about 30,000, but the only way we can do that is to go into the mainland

“That’s where we will be pinpointing and focusing our marketing into particular regions next year.”

Mr Dare said this year’s event attracted visitors from across the globe – including the US, Canada, Asia and Africa – “which is pretty amazing”.

Custom guitar maker Billy Tarrant won the $10,000 Premier’s Award for Excellence, which is judged on the quality of the work in the context of the exhibitor’s overall presentation.

Mr Tarrant makes custom, one-off guitars including acoustic, electric, cigar box and lapsteel guitars, Irish bouzoukis, electric ukuleles and mandolins.

Nathan Bracken from Tamar Valley Walnuts at the Deloraine Craft Fair. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Mr Tarrant said he was emotional receiving the award.

“Doing this as a full-time career, it’s bloody hard work and to be recognised for all your effort is a pretty big deal,” he said.

“It will definitely help me to continue living out this dream and, yeah, it still hasn’t really sunk in though to be honest.”

Mr Tarrant is based in Devonport and moved to Tasmania eight years ago.

He said it can take 160 hours, plus a week of research and design, to create an acoustic guitar.