Sugar Plum Festival’s fall show coming to fairgrounds

Seeking to scare up some spooky sparkles and spectacular spangles?

Now in its 33rd year, the seasonal Sugar Plum Festival bring local artisans direct to the public on select weekends at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Their annual Halloween show will be Oct. 6 to 8 at the fairgrounds, and will feature 155 bakers and crafters, including 20 new-to-Sugar Plum vendors.

“This all started in our home, and it is hard to believe it has grown so popular over the years,” event co-founder Camilla Richter said. “We love what we do! It makes us so happy to be a part of such wonderful talent, and to be able to share all the creative endeavors with our guests. It is important to keep handcrafting alive in America.”

The spooky show will feature Halloween and fall decorations, new jewelry designs, garden décor, gifts and home and personal accessories.

“We are happy to introduce a couple of new baby clothes designers, two new gourmet vendors that specialize in cupcakes and cake pops, a scrapbooking designer with gift cards and candy holders, fun trick-or-treat buckets, and lots of witch hats — and these are not your run of the mill witch hats — lots of attitude!” Richter said.

“A favorite is the old-fashioned candy and toys that will take you down Memory Lane. Halloween collector dolls, lots of new fall floral and wreaths, ceramics, personalized gifts, holiday clothing with lots of sparkle and glitz, Halloween garden signs and decorations, and several dealers with antiques and collectibles.”

For those who are more familiar with the Christmas- and winter holiday-themed Sugar Plum Festival events, the October show is something entirely different, Richter said.

“Our Halloween show is unique in that most of our vendors dress up in costume to add to the festivity of our event. We pride ourselves in setting the mood with the smells of the holiday, music to set the mood, and decorations to excite your soul. We will have balloon tiers, face painting, and a haunted house with spooky music that was made by our family.”

New this year is a “souvenir” of the season, Richter said.

“We have a picture-taking area for our guests to either take their picture or we will take their picture for them in an old Model T truck filled with lots of flowers and pumpkins,” she said. “And we must not forget Mr. D-Bones, the driver! He will be there to greet each of our customers!”

Richter said vendors who offer entirely handcrafted wares are issued a “P.R.O.U.D. certificate,” which indicates the vendor “Proudly Represents Own Unique Design or Delicacy.”

The Sugar Plum Festival is wheelchair accessible. But as always, leave the strollers, big bags, carts and wagons at home.

Already thinking ahead? Fear not — the famous fall and Christmas festival is slated for Nov. 10 to 12 at the fairgrounds. If you can’t make it, stop by Buena Park Downtown from Oct. 13 to 16 for the Halloween and fall show or Dec. 1 to 4 for the holiday spectacular.

When: Oct. 6 to 8

Where: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Cost: Free admission; parking $5

Information: sugarplumcrafts.com